Florida teenager accused of using machete to intimidate voters at polling station
A Florida teenager was arrested Tuesday after approaching multiple Duval County voters in a threatening manner with a machete, police say.
Caleb James Williams, 18, was apprehended after two women called the Neptune Beach Police Department when he allegedly brandished the weapon against them at an early voting polling station.
Authorities say he stood inside the parking lot posing in pictures with the machete with several other male juveniles who were chanting in support of former President Trump.
“The investigation revealed that the group arrived to protest and antagonize the opposing political side,” police Chief Michael Key told reporters at a briefing, saying the incident, which comes amid rising fears of political violence surrounding the 2024 election, "escalated into a verbal disturbance.”
Williams, the only adult in the group, was also the only one arrested. He was charged with aggravated assault on a person 65 years of age or older and improper exhibition of a firearm or dangerous weapon.
Law enforcement said the other individuals' actions did not warrant criminal charges.
“The group was there for no other reason but for ill intentions to cause a disturbance," Key said. "This is not an incident of solely a First Amendment protected right, but rather one where they were simply there to cause a raucous. 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 or Duval County."
Local Democrats issued a statement condemning the incident.
“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,” Duval Democrats wrote in a statement posted to Instagram.
The Hill reached out to the Duval County GOP for comment.
Fears of violence or other forms of voter intimidation have been running high in the lead-up to Election Day.