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By Alia Shoaib
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A Florida woman has been charged over an alleged attack on a 72-year-old man for wearing a MAGA hat.
Laura Garrett, 33, was arrested on Tuesday, accused of hitting him in the back of the head with a can following an argument, according to police affidavits obtained by Newsweek.
MAGA—or Make America Great Again—is a slogan popularized by President Donald Trump.
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Newsweek reached out to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and Largo Police Department via email on Friday.
What To Know
The alleged altercation took place at a park in Largo, Florida, when Garrett approached the victim to question him about why he supported President Donald Trump.
"The defendant and the 72-year-old victim were at the park when a verbal argument broke out between them regarding the victim wearing a "MAGA" hat," an affidavit read.
"During the altercation, the defendant struck the victim on the back of the head/shoulder area with a can she was holding. She then jumped over a fence and began walking away. This incident was witnessed by an independent witness, who later provided a sworn statement."
Garrett admitted to confronting the 72-year-old and pouring the contents of a can on his head, but denied throwing the can at him, according to the arrest report.
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When Largo police officers attempted to escort Garrett to a different area of the park, she refused and was put in handcuffs, according to a police report.
Police said she purposefully dropped her full body weight to the ground and continued to resist by kicking, and was eventually restrained with a hobble and escorted by four officers.
While police were attempting to escort Garrett to towards the patrol vehicles, she wrapped both of her legs around one of the officers, causing him to fall to the ground and injure his knee, according to the report.
Garrett was arrested and charged with one count of battery on a person 65 years or older, one count of battery on a law enforcement officer and one count of obstructing or resisting an officer without violence, according to Pinellas County Jail records.
She was released from jail on Wednesday night.
What Happens Next
The case has been forwarded to the State Attorney's office for prosecution, the Largo Police Department said. It is unclear at this time whether or not it will go to court.
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