St. Clair Shores man charged after allegedly trying to run over Harris campaign staff

A 55-year-old St. Clair Shores man has been charged in connection with an incident outside the VFW Bruce Post on Jefferson Avenue, where presidential campaign materials were distributed.

It is alleged that Jason Lynch Lafond went to a tent in the VFW parking lot on October 12 looking for campaign materials for presidential candidate Donald Trump. A volunteer working at the tent explained that it was a tent for the Harris/Walz presidential campaign that day.

Lafond allegedly shouted derogatory insults, including comments about sexual orientation. He went on to say that if Trump wins, he will “exterminate” people like them. Lafond returned to his vehicle and accelerated toward the volunteers, who had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit.

Lafond fled the scene.

St. Clair Shores police identified the man after a thorough investigation.

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office has charged Lafond with three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, a four-year felony, and three counts of ethnic intimidation, a two-year felony.

“I am grateful for the work of the St. Clair Shores Police Department to ensure that the man is held accountable for the crimes he committed,” said Melissa Crook, one of the campaign staffers who worked at the Bruce during the alleged incident Post was. “I am grateful to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office Hate Crime Division, which charged the man accordingly.

“There is no place for political violence in our society and those who commit such acts must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

Proving an allegation of ethnic intimidation can involve establishing three key elements beyond a reasonable doubt. First, the suspect must have threatened physical harm to the victim, or threatened to damage the victim’s property in a manner that appeared credible. Secondly, there must be no justifiable reason for the suspect’s actions. Finally, prosecutors must prove that the suspect acted out of bias and specifically targeted the victim because of his race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

An assault charge may consist of proving that the suspect took action that would cause a reasonable person to fear immediate harm.

Lafond was arraigned in St. Clair Shores District Court on October 31, where District Court Judge Mark Fratacangeli set a $50,000 personal bond. He is not allowed to have contact with victims or witnesses and must wear a GPS necklace.

A probable cause hearing is scheduled for Friday, November 8 at 9:00 am

“This alleged attack was not only an attack on the victims, it was an attack on the victims’ rights to express themselves freely and safely, and impacts our entire community,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido.

Lucido launched a Hate Crimes Unit and secured a vital grant from the US Department of Justice to support it. This award was awarded to only 16 organizations nationally last year. Lucido said he has appointed Michigan’s first and only exclusively dedicated hate crimes prosecutor at the county level.

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Originally published: November 4, 2024 at 1:06 PM EST