Arrest Update: Florida man intentionally crashes van into Trump campaign volunteers

Van used in hit and run assault on Trump campaign volunteers.

Updated: The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said it has arrested Gregory Timm after the incident, which did not result in any injuries. Timm was charged with criminal mischief, aggravated assault and driving on a suspended license, the sheriff’s office tweeted early Sunday morning.

#JSO has arrested the suspect who drove through the voter registration tent in the area of 11900 Atlantic Boulevard.

Gregory Timm has been charged with Aggravated Assault, Criminal Mischief, and Driving While Driver’s License Suspended. pic.twitter.com/zGKbR2VTg0

— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) February 9, 2020

————————————————–
Law enforcement officials in Jacksonville, Fla., say a driver intentionally crashed a van into a tent where Trump campaign volunteers were registering voters Saturday afternoon.

Thankfully, no one was injured.

“We are investigating this as an aggravated assault,” Lt. Larry Gayle of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said. “Several people were in the area and could have been seriously hurt.”

According to Gayle, after plowing through the tent, the driver stopped, got out of the van, then took a video of the scene before flipping off the victims and fleeing the scene. Despite this, Gayle says they don’t know the motivation of the suspect, “but, we are just starting the investigation.”

Obviously they don’t want to speculate, but the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office should be treating this incident as a potential hate crime—just as they most certainly would be if the victims were minorities and the suspect was caucasian.

The Duval County GOP posted images of the scene and detailed the incident on Twitter.

Today in Jacksonville, Florida six Trump Campaign volunteers were intentionally targeted while registering voters. pic.twitter.com/0wzaCYh5ut

— Duval County GOP (@DuvalGOP) February 8, 2020

“We are outraged by this senseless act of violence toward our great volunteers,” said Duval GOP Chairman Dean Black. “The Republican Party of Duval County will not be intimidated by these cowards and we will not be silenced.”

Black added, “I call on every Republican in our great city to stand up, get involved, and show these radicals that we will not be intimidated from exercising our Constitutional rights.”

The Duval County GOP now plans to “redouble its efforts to register voters” and will continue with “renewed intensity to re-elect President Donald Trump.”

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel responded to the incident on Twitter. “These unprovoked, senseless attacks on @realDonaldTrump’s supporters need to end. I want to echo the @DuvalGOP in saying: We will not be silenced by cowards, and these disgusting acts will only make us work harder to win November.”

These unprovoked, senseless attacks on @realDonaldTrump's supporters need to end. I want to echo the @DuvalGOP in saying: We will not be silenced by cowards, and these disgusting acts will only make us work harder to win November. https://t.co/GQ7OrbtSO2

— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) February 9, 2020

President Trump also responded to the incident. “Law Enforcement has been notified. Be careful tough guys who you play with!” he wrote on Twitter.

Law Enforcement has been notified. Be careful tough guys who you play with! https://t.co/1Pq0hOrzy2

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 9, 2020

Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio also posted comments on twitter:

This appears to be a politically-motivated attack on hard-working volunteers in Duval County. Thankful that no one was hurt. @DuvalGOP will not be silenced or intimidated. They will redouble their efforts to support strong Republicans in NE Florida and around the state! https://t.co/F4Qi7hk7CR

— Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) February 8, 2020

Thanking God that no one was injured in today’s politically motivated attack against @DuvalGOP volunteers today. https://t.co/qKaJ8takNB

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 8, 2020

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is now looking into whether the driver of the vehicle has posted the video he took on social media.

Anyone with information can contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at (904) 630-0500 or email their tip line at [email protected]. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at (866) 845-TIPS.

Given the obvious political nature of this incident that targeted supporters of President Trump’s campaign, every single Democratic candidate’s campaign should condemn the actions of the suspect.