The Man Who Made a Violent Plot Against Against Kamala-Walz Supporters Is in Big Trouble
Last month, a few supporters of the Harris-Walz campaign were working a tent where they handed out materials to bystanders to encourage them to vote. However, the volunteers were confronted by a seemingly unruly individual . Now, he's received his punishment for his despicable behavior.
Authorities said the Oct. 12 incident occurred in the parking lot of a VFW Bruce Post in St. Clair Shores, Mich. There, volunteers with the St. Clair Shores Democratic club were canvassing for Vice President Kamala Harris' bid for president when police say they were allegedly approached by 55-year-old Jason Lafond. Police said Lafond walked up to the campaign tent spitting derogatory slurs including insults about sexual orientation.
He then threatened that when Trump wins the election, he would "exterminate" people like them, police said.
Lafond walked toward his vehicle as if he was finished with his alleged tirade. However, witnesses say what started as an act of intimidation turned into an act of violence, per Mlive.com . Witnesses said he turned the car on and accelerated toward the campaign volunteers before fleeing the scene. Luckily, no one was hurt in the incident. Though, the ones who were nearly struck by the bumper of Lafond's car were startled with fear.
"He gunned his vehicle so fast that I legitimately thought I was about to die. I thought this man was going to kill me," said Melissa Crook, a volunteer, to WWJ-TV . "I still don't know how he was able to stop his car that fast because it's not an electric vehicle, but he did, and I'm thankful that he did, but I thought that was it and I would never see my loved ones again."
As a result his alleged actions, Lafond was charged with three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon (a four year felony) and three counts ethnic intimidation (a two year felony). CBS reports he is due for a probable cause hearing on Nov. 8. After being issued a $50,000 bond, he was ordered to have no contact with any of the victims or witnesses of the incident as well as to wear a GPS monitor, the report says.
"This alleged assault was not just an assault on the victims. It was an assault on the rights of the victims to express themselves freely and safely, and impacts our entire community. Acts of violence, assaults or harassment based on someone's identity have no place here. It threatens our Democracy and the exercise of free speech in a fair and secure election," said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
