Florida Woman Attacked 72-Year-Old Over MAGA Hat: Police - Newsweek
By: Alia Shoaib
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
A Florida woman has been charged over an alleged attack on a 72-year-old man for wearing a MAGA hat.
Laura Garrett, 33, was arrested on Tuesday, accused of hitting him in the back of the head with a can following an argument, according to police affidavits obtained by Newsweek .
MAGA—or Make America Great Again—is a slogan popularized by President Donald Trump.
Newsweek reached out to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and Largo Police Department via email on Friday.
What To Know
The alleged altercation took place at a park in Largo, Florida, when Garrett approached the victim to question him about why he supported President Donald Trump.
"The defendant and the 72-year-old victim were at the park when a verbal argument broke out between them regarding the victim wearing a "MAGA" hat," an affidavit read.
"During the altercation, the defendant struck the victim on the back of the head/shoulder area with a can she was holding. She then jumped over a fence and began walking away. This incident was witnessed by an independent witness, who later provided a sworn statement."
Garrett admitted to confronting the 72-year-old and pouring the contents of a can on his head, but denied throwing the can at him, according to the arrest report.
Laura Garrett.Laura Garrett.Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
When Largo police officers attempted to escort Garrett to a different area of the park, she refused and was put in handcuffs, according to a police report.
Police said she purposefully dropped her full body weight to the ground and continued to resist by kicking, and was eventually restrained with a hobble and escorted by four officers.
While police were attempting to escort Garrett to towards the patrol vehicles, she wrapped both of her legs around one of the officers, causing him to fall to the ground and injure his knee, according to the report.
Garrett was arrested and charged with one count of battery on a person 65 years or older, one count of battery on a law enforcement officer and one count of obstructing or resisting an officer without violence, according to Pinellas County Jail records.
She was released from jail on Wednesday night.
What Happens Next
The case has been forwarded to the State Attorney's office for prosecution, the Largo Police Department said. It is unclear at this time whether or not it will go to court.
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A 33 year old woman acting out like a child . An illustrious member of the liberal left. So tolerant and accepting.
Signed,
Dereck Shauvin, [sp]
Attacking a senior citizen because they have different political beliefs, The party of intolerance strikes again.
And, hilariously, they claim to have the "moral high ground".
About time for the media to start playing the threat of right wing violence card as a distraction.
Think she's single...?
I think she is Kid Rocks poster child of liberalism.
Who would want to be with that?
[✘]
[✘]
"Stupid is as stupid does" - Forrest Gump.
I guess she thought someone two times + her age was easy pickin's. Typical.
She will be called a hero by some on the left and I am sure n go fund me page will be started for her soon.
I think this has more to do with being Florida than it does with her being some liberal stereotype. Since she threw the can they should throw the book at her.
There is always a bit of truth / fact in stereotypes. The blue hair, attacking a 72 year old over A HAT, that just screams liberal. Fits right in with the liberal mindset.
Red hat... missing teeth... room temp IQ... Voted for Donald Trump...
Incorrectly believes they're smarter than your average bear...
But seriously, it's [✘]
What it screams is "never faced any consequences for her actions".
I think a stint in jail will help her learn what is acceptable behaivior and what is not
I bet her defence will be that she was trying to knock some common sense into his head.
Doesn't she know that the pen is mightier than the sword?
She should have signed up here. I think she'd fit in rather nicely.
Granted, Vic, but is it mightier than the can?
I'll leave that as a Rhetorical question.
LOL
Creating a public disturbance, assault and battery, resisting arrest, assault on a police officer - I can see her in jail for five years in Florida