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Veteran attacked at Jacksonville gas station after saying he'll vote for Trump, police say

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A 68-year-old veteran was attacked at a Jacksonville gas station after he told a clerk he plans to vote for Donald Trump, according to police.

The Vietnam war veteran said he was at the Shell gas station on Columbus Avenue on Sunday when a store clerk asked him who he was voting for. He told the clerk he was voting for Trump and a man behind him in line got upset, police said.

The victim told the man he was a Vietnam veteran and was voting for Trump in hopes that he would get the country back on track. He told police the man cursed at him and left the store.

Police said surveillance video shows the man approach the veteran at the gas pumps and push him.

The veteran told the man he didn't want to fight and tried to leave, but the attacker pushed him and hit him in the face, said the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. The veteran fell to the ground and the assailant kicked him in the stomach and forearm, JSO said.

The veteran told police the man walked away, but then charged at him again and threatened him before he drove away in a white Suburban.

The officer said the victim's face was swollen and red, and he was bleeding from the nose and mouth.

The veteran had a severe injury to his arm in 2015 and it appeared swollen and possibly broken near the wrist, according to police.

The veteran told police he did not know his attacker and couldn't give them information about his identity.

Police canvassed the area but couldn't find the attacker.

Anyone who has any information about the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS. You can remain anonymous and receive a possible reward of up to $3,000.

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