Macomb County Man Tries To Run Over Harris Campaign Volunteers: Police

ST. CLAIR SHORES, MI — A 55-year-old St. Clair Shores man is facing charges after trying to run over election canvassers in St. Clair Shores last month, according to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office.

Jason Lynch Lafond was charged with three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and three counts of ethnic intimidation.

He was placed in jail with a bond set at $50,000. If released, he cannot have any contact with any victims or witnesses and must wear a GPS tether. His next court date is scheduled for Nov. 8.

If convicted on all charges, he faces up to a total of 18 years in prison.

"This alleged assault was not just an assault on the victims. It was an assault on the rights of the victims to express themselves freely and safely, and impacts our entire community. Acts of violence, assaults or harassment based on someone's identity have no place here. It threatens our Democracy and the exercise of free speech in a fair and secure election," Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido said.

Prosecutors said Lafond went to a tent in the parking lot of the VFW Bruce Post on Jefferson Avenue in St. Clair Shores on Oct. 12.

Lafond was looking for campaign materials for former President Donald Trump, according to prosecutors.

Political campaigns occasionally use the parking lot to hand out materials for both Democratic and Republican candidates, according to prosecutors.

When the campaign volunteers told Lafond they were working for the St. Clair Shores Democratic Club and were passing out Harris/Walz campaign tent, he started yelling derogatory insults at the group, including anti-LGBTQ slurs, according to prosecutors.

Lafond also told the canvassers that, when Trump wins, he would "exterminate" people like them, according to prosecutors.

Lafond then returned to his vehicle and sped toward the canvassers, who jumped out of the way, according to prosecutors.

"He gunned his vehicle so fast that I legitimately thought I was about to die. I thought this man was going to kill me," St. Clair Shores Democratic Club Volunteer Melissa Crook told CBS. "I still don't know how he was able to stop his car that fast because it's not an electric vehicle, but he did, and I'm thankful that he did, but I thought that was it and I would never see my loved ones again."