Teen Armed With Machete Arrested Among Group Accused Of Intimidating Harris Supporters

An 18-year-old wielding a machete is accused of threatening Harris-Walz supporters canvassing near an early voting site in Florida with a group of seven other teenagers.

Caleb James Williams was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly brandished a machete in an aggressive, threatening posture over his head towards two women, aged 71 and 54, in Neptune Beach, the citys police chief said.

The investigation revealed that the group arrived to protest and antagonize the opposing political side, Neptune Beach Police Chief Michael Key said of the teenagers at a press conference.

Key said the teens pulled up to a local library serving as an early voting location around 4 p.m. and immediately started antagonizing the opposing political side.

Williams was the oldest in the group, while the other seven are still minors between 16 and 17 years old.

The 18-year-old was arrested on charges of aggravated assault on a person 65 years of age or older and improper exhibition of a firearm or dangerous weapon.

The younger teens actions did not appear to cross the threshold for criminal charges, though the investigation is not over and charges could be recommended later, Key said.

The right to free expression and protest goes out the window the moment you raise a machete over your head in a threatening manner, Key said, expressing his own anger over what happened.

To say Im disturbed is an understatement, he said.

Early voting at the library was not disrupted by the incident, though some temporary parking issues resulted, Key said.

The Duval County Democratic Party said it is deeply concerned about what happened and described the alleged victims as people carrying signs for Vice President Kamala Harris . The aggressors had flags for former President Donald Trump , the group said.

The Duval County Democratic Party stands with those who seek to express their views peacefully and without fear or reprisal. We urge all citizens to continue engaging in civic activities respectfully and lawfully, Duval County Democratic Party Chair Daniel Henry said in a statement  that thanked police for their response.

Williams is a registered Florida Republican, according to a search of his public voting records by local station News4JAX .

The incident comes amid heightened tensions and concerns of election sabotage and even violence as Election Day draws near.

A U.S. intelligence memo recently viewed by Wired cautioned that people who have authorized access to the nations election centers could pose threats. Another memo surfaced  by the nonprofit Property of the People shows that, for months, U.S. officials have had their eyes on social media users who are encouraging ways to sabotage ballot drop boxes acts that also occurred ahead of the 2020 election and did not result in any widespread problems, officials said.

This last memo preceded Mondays ballot box fires in Oregon and Washington. Authorities believe the incidents in both states are linked.

A recent poll found that most voters are concerned about potential political violence and attempts to overturn the election results. Only about one-third of voters polled said they expect former President Donald Trump to accept the results if he loses.

Trump has continued to spread conspiracy theories and falsely claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him, a lie that infamously sparked the violence at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

He has also falsely claimed that the only way hell lose this years election is if the vote is rigged.

Anyone with complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation at a polling place is encouraged to contact local law enforcement by calling 911. After that, incidents can also be reported to the appropriate federal agency. The Justice Departments website  has a list of departments and resources.