NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. — Neptune Beach Police have arrested 18-year-old Caleb James Williams on felony charges of aggravated assault after he allegedly threatened two women with a machete at the Beaches Branch Library, an early voting site. The incident involved a group protesting with Trump flags and signs.
Caleb’s bond was set at $55,000 and he was ordered to stay 1,000 feet away from polling locations except for going to his polling place to vote. He is due back in court on Nov. 20.
According to the NBPD, at 4:05 p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the library—designated as a polling location for early voting—after receiving reports about a subject with a machete.
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Upon arrival, police were directed by bystanders to Williams, who was with a group of males gathered around a truck in the parking lot. Police report that the group arrived to protest, displaying Trump flags and one member held a Trump sign with a machete. Action News Jax received a video showing the group waving Trump flags and chanting the former president’s name, with one member holding a Trump sign stabbed by a machete.
A 71-year-old victim reported that William approached her with the machete raised above his head in an intimidating manner, causing her to fear for her safety. Another victim, a 54-year-old woman standing next to the first victim, also expressed concern about being injured by Williams. She had a photograph of William approaching them with the machete raised.
Below is the image taken:
READ: Duval political leaders, election officials urge safety after voters threatened with machete
The truck next to Williams was standing contained a 23-inch machete (18-inch blade) in plain view. The machete and the photograph were collected and placed in the Neptune Beach Police Department property room.
Williams was arrested and transported to the Duval County Jail, facing charges of aggravated assault against a person aged 65 and improper exhibition of a dangerous weapon.
Authorities emphasized that the individuals were there to create a disturbance, stating, “Voting is a sacred right that goes beyond freedom of speech, especially when you raise a machete in a threatening manner.”
Police reassured the public that the library remains a safe place to vote and expressed frustration over the incident. Officials refused to specify which party the group was attempting to intimidate voters for.
READ: ‘Deeply concerned’ | Video shows man waving machete with Trump supporters at early voting site
Statements From Local Officials/Political parties:
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan released a statement to Action News Jax: “The right to vote is a sacred one. It is never acceptable for any voter to feel unsafe while exercising this fundamental right. Threats of violence and verbal harassment do not belong anywhere in our society and especially not at the polls. Let’s remember that we’re all Americans regardless of our political beliefs.”
The Republican Party of Duval County stated on social media regarding the recent incident: “We thank law enforcement for swiftly apprehending the individual involved. In a time of heightened political tension, especially as President Trump has survived two assassination attempts and Republican supporters have been unfairly labeled as Nazis and called ‘garbage’ by Joe Biden, we urge calm as we approach the end of this election season.”
Statement on Incident at Beaches Early Voting Location
— Republican Party of Duval County (@DuvalGOP) October 30, 2024
The Republican Party of Duval County thanks law enforcement for swiftly apprehending the individual involved. In an environment of high political tension, where President Trump has survived two assassination attempts and…
The Duval County Democratic Party additionally released a statement on social media 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.”
You can read the full statement below.
STATEMENT | In response to a violent incident at the Beaches Library Early Voting site, @DuvalDEC Chair, @DanielHenryJAX, released the following statement: pic.twitter.com/aPxWpHLxMq
— Duval County Democratic Party (@DuvalDEC) October 30, 2024
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