Politics may have been a driving force when a minivan smashed into a group of Trump campaign volunteers in Jacksonville, Florida, over the weekend.
Gregory Timm, the 27-year-old accused of driving into a tent of local Republicans doing voter registration in a Walmart parking lot, told investigators he dislikes President Trump, according to a partially redacted police report.
“Someone had to take a stand,” the suspect said, adding that another reason was because “it’s like someone shitting on your grave.”
None of the volunteers were injured in the incident.
The police report released by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and shared on Facebook by the Republican Party of Duval County on Tuesday also said Timm willingly showed investigators videos of the incident from his cell phone and complained that the camera stopped filming before “the good part.” He was arrested on the scene.
Timm is charged with aggravated assault, criminal mischief, and driving with a suspended license and remains jailed on a $500,000 bail.
#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
Republicans and Democrats have spoken out after the crash Saturday.
The Duval County Democratic Party called it a “cowardly act of violence,” asserting that no one should be put in danger for exercising “their First Amendment rights.”
The @DuvalDEC condemns this cowardly act of violence. No one’s life should be placed in danger for exercising their first amendment rights. (1/3) https://t.co/j2ceUI0HFb
— Duval County Democratic Party (@DuvalDEC) February 9, 2020
Republican Florida Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott both categorized the attack as “politically motivated.” Scott also tweeted that “they will redouble their efforts to support strong Republicans.”
