A Florida woman is facing several charges after allegedly attacking a 72-year-old man who was wearing a “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) hat earlier this week.
Laura Garrett, 33, was arrested by the Largo Police Department on Tuesday and charged with battery on a person older than 65, battery on a police officer, and obstructing or resisting an officer without violence, according to records from the Pinellas County Jail.
An arrest affidavit obtained by FOX 13 Tampa Bay states that Garrett admitted to approaching the unidentified man at Northeast Park and Paw Place. She reportedly questioned him about President Donald Trump and his reasons for supporting him.
According to the arrest report, the confrontation escalated into an argument, at which point Garrett allegedly poured a beverage can she was holding over the man’s head and struck him on the back of the head and shoulder area with the can. While the arrest report indicates the assault with the can, Garrett reportedly denied hitting him with it.
Police reported that Garrett then jumped a fence and fled the scene after the alleged attack. She was later located by law enforcement officers, with whom she allegedly engaged in a physical altercation while they attempted to make an arrest. The arrest report details that Garrett intentionally dropped to the ground as officers placed her in handcuffs. When an officer attempted to escort her to the front of the park, Garrett allegedly wrapped her legs around the officer, causing him to fall and bruise his knee, which led to the second battery charge. Police also stated that Garrett continued to kick and pull away from the arresting officers.
Garrett was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on Tuesday evening and was subsequently released on Wednesday night, as shown by jail records.
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