A 27-year-old Massachusetts man is facing civil rights violation and assault charges after police in Fall River say he attacked an 82-year-old man holding a sign showing his support for President Donald Trump this week.
On Tuesday, Fall River Police Officer Charles O’Gara was sent to the area of North Main Street and Airport Road for report that an elderly male that had been “violently targeted for his political views and was violently assaulted,” police said.
The 82-year-old man said he was standing on the grass area of the rotary at North Main Street and Airport Road holding a Trump sign when a man parked his car and got out.
The man, later identified as Aidan Courtright, of Fall River, allegedly walked toward the 82-year-old man and screamed, “Give me the f—— sign,” according to a police statement.
“Courtright then forcefully ripped the sign out of the victim’s hands, ripped it in half, and threw it on the ground. Courtright then went after the victim, grabbing him by his shirt, knocking his hat off, and throwing him violently to the ground, police said. “While the victim was on the ground, Courtright continued the attack by kicking him in his ribs and legs.”
Fall River police said Courtright wore leather pointed shoes while “violently” kicking the alleged victim.
Courtright then got back in his vehicle and drove off.
The 82-year-old man was taken to a nearby hospital. He had visible bruising on his lower back, police said. Officers also spoke to two witnesses who saw the incident unfold.
“The victim stated that he believed that he was targeted and attacked because of his political beliefs and the ‘Trump’ hat that he was wearing,” police said.
Courtright was contacted by police and later turned himself into authorities at the Fall River police station.
Courtright was charged with civil rights violation with injury, assault and battery on a person over 60, vandalism of personal property and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
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