Police arrested an 18-year-old carrying a machete with an 18-inch blade outside a Florida polling place on Tuesday, who was part of a group of teenagers accused of intimidating Democratic supporters.
The teen, Caleb James Williams, was arrested after 4 p.m. when officers were called to the Beaches Branch Library in Neptune Beach.
Williams was arrested on charges of aggravated assault for allegedly brandishing his weapon at two unidentified women, ages 71 and 54, and improperly displaying a weapon, Neptune Beach police said.
The local Democratic campaign said it was “deeply concerned” by Tuesday’s events, in which they said a group of young men waving signs in support of former President Donald Trump confronted a group with signs advertising Kamala Harris .
Caleb James Williams was caught wielding a machete outside a polling place in Neptune Beach, Florida, on Tuesday.Neptune Beach Police Department
Police Chief Michael J. Key Jr. told a news conference Tuesday evening that officers had found a group of eight people, including seven juveniles and one adult, in the library parking lot.
“The investigation revealed that the group arrived to protest and antagonize the opposing political side,” he said.
The group made opposing gestures and an argument ensued between the two parties before Williams “waved a machete above his head in an aggressive, threatening posture,” Key said, adding that the department released an image of the moment.
“The group was there for no reason other than malicious intent, to cause unrest,” Key continued.
Key added that the incident was a clear case of actions going beyond what is permitted by freedom of speech laws.
Police released this image of a machete-style knife seized from the teen. Neptune Beach Police Department
“This goes way beyond expressing freedom of speech – to say your piece is protected by the First Amendment, but that goes out the window the moment you hold a machete over your head in a threatening manner,” he said.
Key said there were no plans to arrest or charge any of the group’s other members because their actions “did not cross the criminal threshold,” but he stressed that an investigation is ongoing.
Daniel Henry, chairman of the Duval County Democratic Party, praised police for their quick response.
He said in a statement: “We are deeply concerned about a violent incident today at the Beaches Library where a group of young men carrying Trump flags, with one person armed with a machete, were confronted by peaceful Harris-Walz sign wavers who were first exercise. Change rights.”
Police have tried to reassure people that the polling place and other locations in the province remain safe for voters.
Duval GOP did not immediately respond to an NBC News request for comment.