After striking an election worker at a polling station who requested him to take off a hat supporting former President Trump, a man from Texas was charged.
Local law police identified the suspect as Jesse Lutzenberger. As he passed the voting location, Lutzenberger was instructed to take off his cap. Javier Salazar, the county sheriff of Bexar, said that after casting his ballot, he put on his hat and left the area.
The voting clerk instructed Lutzenberger to remove his hat as he was leaving since it is against Texas law to wear apparel endorsing a candidate within a polling station.
Salazar told reporters on Friday that Lutzenberger then reportedly flung an elbow or arm back at the clerk. After that, the defendant “turned and threw several punches right at the victim’s face.”
Salazar said on Friday that the 69-year-old election worker had some “marks” on his face but no serious injuries. After the altercation, Lutzenberger was arrested and taken to the Bexar County jail, according to the sheriff.
During his Friday press conference, Salazar utilized the opportunity to “tone down the violence.”
The sheriff remarked, “Look, nothing here is worth going to jail for.” “This election will take place regardless of the outcome of any one contest; one side will win and one will lose. That is simply the way things are.
“But there’s no point in bringing up a criminal case or criminal history; we’re hurting or even killing someone for political reasons,” he added. “It simply doesn’t make sense.”
The event coincides with a poll from Scripps News/Ipsos this week that revealed more than 6 out of 10 Americans, or 62%, believe that violence following Election Day is “very likely” or “somewhat likely.”