An 18-year-old was arrested exterior a Florida polling location Tuesday after police mentioned he wielded a machete with the intention to intimidate voters.
Caleb James Williams faces costs of aggravated assaulted on an individual 65 years of age or older and improper exhibition of a firearm or harmful weapon.
In a press convention after the arrest, Neptune Seaside Police Chief Michael J. Key mentioned Williams “brandished a machete in an aggressive, threatening posture over his head” at two girls, ages 71 and 54.
Williams was accompanied by seven different male teenagers, ages 16 and 17, who police mentioned went to the Seashores Department Library “to protest and antagonize the opposing political aspect.”
“The group was there for no different motive however for ailing intentions to trigger a disturbance,” Key mentioned. “This isn’t an incident of solely a First Modification protected proper, however moderately one the place they had been merely there to trigger a ruckus.”
Not one of the different teenagers at present face any costs, however Key mentioned the investigation is ongoing and extra costs are doable.
Duval County Democratic Occasion Chair Daniel Henry mentioned in an announcement the younger males had been wielding flags bearing former President Donald Trump’s title through the incident, and that the people they confronted had been carrying indicators in assist of Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
Henry described it as a “troubling act of intimidation” and thanked police for the swift response.
“Violence and intimidation don’t have any place in our democratic course of,” Henry mentioned. “The Duval County Democratic Occasion stands with those that search to specific their views peacefully and with out concern of reprisal.”
Key mentioned he’s “extraordinarily proud” of police for his or her dealing with of the incident.
“Voting in our nation is without doubt one of the most sacred and guarded rights we have now,” he mentioned. “Guaranteeing everybody’s proper to vote is essential and it’ll not be impeded upon in Neptune Seaside or Duval County.”
He additionally expressed his anger on the incident, and emphasised how significantly police will take such incidents.
“I do not know in case you can see the visceral anger I’ve, however I am offended at this — I am extraordinarily offended at this.” Key mentioned. “It’s one factor to go up and train your First Modification proper, which we so dearly take as a sacred proper to specific. However once more, the second you progress to violence, that goes out the window.”
“To say I am disturbed is an understatement. I am mad that this occurred in Neptune Seaside,” he added.
Police are involved with Jerry Holland, the Duval County supervisor of elections, and Key mentioned they’re dedicated to defending voters’ security on the polls.
“This can be a protected location to vote, it was a protected location to vote right this moment earlier than this incident, and it’ll proceed to stay a protected location to vote,” he mentioned.