Machete Madman! Florida Teen Allegedly Threatens Voters Outside Polling Place
Florida teen accused of wielding a machete to threaten voters at a polling station as police investigate disturbing acts of intimidation. 🌐 #News #DuvalCountyFL #Florida #Crime
DUVAL COUNTY, FL – A Florida teen is facing serious charges after allegedly wielding a machete outside an early voting station, joining a group of other teens accused of targeting Democratic voters with intimidation tactics.
Neptune Beach Police responded to the Beaches Branch Library around 4 p.m. after receiving a report of a machete-wielding individual. Upon arrival, officers found a group of eight young males, seven of whom were juveniles, gathered in the parking lot near the polling station.
Tensions Escalate at Polling Station as Police Respond to Machete Report
Police Chief Michael J. Key Jr. spoke at a news conference, explaining that the group had shown up specifically to “protest and antagonize the opposing political side.” The group reportedly approached individuals who were waving signs along the road, a confrontation that soon “escalated into a verbal disturbance.”
The situation intensified when 18-year-old Caleb James Williams allegedly raised a machete “in an aggressive, threatening posture over his head,” according to Key. Police later shared a photograph of Williams with the machete, further illustrating the severity of the situation.
The two individuals allegedly threatened by Williams—a 71-year-old woman and a 54-year-old woman—quickly called the police in fear for their safety. Officers arrived on the scene in under a minute, leading to Williams’ arrest.
Investigation Continues as Authorities Monitor Voter Intimidation
Williams has since been charged with aggravated assault on a person 65 years of age or older and improper exhibition of a dangerous weapon.
Chief Key clarified, “The group was there for no other reason but for ill intentions to cause a disturbance.” He emphasized that the situation went beyond “a First Amendment-protected right,” underscoring that they had been “simply there to cause a ruckus.”
The juveniles involved in the incident were not arrested, as their actions did not “cross the criminal threshold,” according to Key. However, the police investigation remains ongoing.
This incident brings renewed focus to the importance of maintaining peaceful voting environments amid escalating tensions across political divides.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
We value your feedback! Did you find this article informative, inspiring, or thought-provoking? Leave a comment below and join the discussion. We appreciate your opinion and look forward to hearing from you!