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    • Florida man arrested after machete-related early voting site dispute
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    Florida man arrested after machete-related early voting site dispute

    Harry Posted on

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    An 18-year-old man in Florida was arrested after police said he “incriminated himself.” waved a machete One of the latest incidents during the conflict at the early voting site examples of violence this election season.

    Neptune Beach police announced the arrest of Caleb James Williams of Neptune Beach on Tuesday. Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office jail records show he was arrested on a charge of aggravated assault on a person 65 years of age or older and a misdemeanor charge of improper display of a firearm or dangerous weapon.

    Neptune Beach Police Chief Michael Key Jr. “This goes far beyond expressing free speech,” he said in announcing the arrest. “Saying you have a First Amendment right to your piece, but that goes out the window the moment you raise the machete menacingly above your head.”

    Williams was in custody as of Wednesday morning and attorney information was not immediately available.

    Election 2024 live updates: Harris and Trump heading into key swing states; latest polls

    Suspect in possession of machete part of Trump supporter group

    Williams and seven boys went to the parking lot of a busy early voting area in Duval County on Tuesday afternoon to “protest and antagonize the opposing political side,” Key said. He said the incident escalated to Williams “waving a machete over his head in an aggressive and threatening stance” at two women, aged 71 and 54, causing them to call police in fear.

    Local democratic organizationDuval Democrats released a statement saying Williams was with a group. Donald Trump They carried flags and approached a group of people waving signs of support. Kamala Harris.

    Neptune Beach police assured the area remains safe for voting.

    The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.

    Election violence: Authorities say man punched Texas voting clerk who told him to take off his MAGA hat

    The 2024 election season witnessed violence

    With less than a week away Election DayThis election season has already been marked by increasing threats of political violence.

    A recent survey showed that about 1 in 3 Republicans who view Trump favorably, 1 in 4 Republicans overall and 1 in 6 Americans believe political violence is acceptable. Experts warn it could be a dangerous choice USA TODAY has been reported previously. This will be Trump’s first presidential election since refusing to concede his loss in the 2020 election Distrust in the electoral system and fueled the rioters who attacked the US Capitol January 6, 2021.

    Trump survived two assassination attempts this year. Inside was shot in July He was shot in the ear by a gunman positioned on a rooftop near a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. In September, the Secret Service opened fire on a suspect after spotting a gun barrel. Bushes around Trump’s golf courseWhere Trump was playing golf at the time.

    Threats were also made to election workers and public officials this season. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced in early October that legal action would be taken in four cases:

    • A Philadelphia man was accused of threatening to “skin” a party official;
    • An Alabama man was accused of threatening to execute election officials in Arizona;
    • An Arizona man has been accused of opening fire at a Democratic campaign office;
    • And a California man was accused of bombing the courthouse.

    The polls opened on Monday. set on fire He damaged hundreds of ballots in Washington and Oregon.

    Credit: Erin Mansfield, Bart Jansen, James Powell, John Bacon

    Kinsey Crowley is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley.

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