I agree. Did he know protestors were blocking that street? He may have known there were protests in the area but possibly had no idea exactly where they were. He may have had no choice, so far it looks like the thugs set up in spots where they could attack people trying to leave the area.
The man deserves his day in court. I hope he gets a fair chance to present his side no matter what it is. At this point no one else knows.
With the previous violence these groups have done in the past and even that day, he would have been a fool not to be in fear of his life.
I agree with everything you said!! Great points! The facts will come out in time and all of the keyboard judges and juries will know if their assumptions and presumptions were correct (or not).