FL Teen Waved Machete At Harris Supporters At Voting Site: Officials

NEPTUNE BEACH, FL — An 18-year-old man was arrested after waving a machete at supporters of the Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris Tuesday afternoon in Duval County, the Duval Dems said in a statement the group shared on Instagram.

Caleb James Williams of Neptune Beach was charged with aggravated assault on a person 65 years of age or older and improper exhibition of a dangerous firearm or weapon, Neptune Beach police Chief Michael J. Key Jr. said during a news conference. (Watch the full news conference below.)

Williams, and seven other boys who ranged from 16 to 17 years old and weren't arrested, went to the Beaches Branch Library, an early voting location, Tuesday. Their intent was “to protest and antagonize the opposing political side,” Key said.

The teens approached two women, 71 and 54 years old, who were waving political signs for candidates outside the library, the sheriff said.

The group of young men carried (GOP former president Donald) Trump flags when they confronted the “peaceful” women holding signs in support of Harris and her running mate, vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, the Duval Dems said.

Officers arrived at the library around 4 p.m. after the women, who “were in fear,” called police about Williams brandishing “a machete in an aggressive, threatening posture over his head,” Key said.

The sheriff said he is “extremely angry” about the incident.

“The group was there for no other reason than for ill intentions, to cause a disturbance. This is not an incident of solely a First Amendment protecting right, but one where they were simply there to cause a ruckus,” he said of the teens. “Voting in our country is one of the most sacred and protected rights we have. Ensuring everyone’s right to vote is crucial, and it will not be impeded upon in Neptune Beach of Duval County.”

The Duval Dems said, “Violence and intimidation have no place in our democratic process. The Duval County Democratic Party stands with those who seek to express their views peacefully and without fear of reprisal. We urge all citizens to continue engaging in civic activities respectfully and lawfully.”

The incident went “way beyond expressing freedom of speech,” Key added. “To say your peace is your First Amendment protected right, but that goes out the window the second you raise a machete over your head in a threatening manner.”

Watch the full news conference about the incident: