A Florida sheriff warned rioters planning on spreading destruction in his county that residents will “blow you back out of the house with their guns.”
The town of Lakeland in Polk County saw a peaceful protest Sunday of about 100 people who marched to the police station, but some protesters broke off from the group, and “civil unrest” broke out. Police said rioters were blocking traffic and breaking the law, and the sheriff’s office was called.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd addressed the situation Monday during a press conference.
“I would tell them, if you value your life, they probably shouldn’t do that in Polk County. Because the people of Polk County like guns, they have guns, I encourage them to own guns, and they’re going to be in their homes tonight with their guns loaded, and if you try to break into their homes to steal, to set fires, I’m highly recommending they blow you back out of the house with their guns. So, leave the community alone,” he said.
“The people in Polk County like guns, they have guns, I encourage them to own guns… And if you try to break into their homes to steal, to set fires, I’m highly recommending they blow you back out of the house with their guns.” STORY: https://t.co/NjG4Frlphy pic.twitter.com/KH0g3X0POC
— FOX 13 Tampa Bay (@FOX13News) June 1, 2020
Judd said he doesn’t believe residents from the area were the ones causing the problems and encouraged people to use their First Amendment rights to honor George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died last week in police custody.
“All of that ugliness has taken away from what we’re united about,” he said. “We’re united about the conduct that you saw with George [Floyd].”
He added to those who don’t abide by the law, “We are going to hunt you down and lock you up if you engage in any criminal conduct.”
