Florida Woman Laura Garrett, 33, was arrested for allegedly attacking an elderly man because he was wearing a MAGA hat. Credit: Pinellas County Jail booking photo.
LARGO, Florida – A 33-year-old Florida woman, Laura Elizabeth Garrett, was arrested on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, after a series of violent incidents at Northeast Park and Paw Place in Largo, according to court documents and the Largo Police Department.
The altercation began around 5:30 PM when Garrett confronted a 72-year-old man who was wearing a “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) hat.
A verbal argument escalated, and Garrett allegedly struck the MAGA man on the back of his head and shoulder area, targeting him due to his support for President Donald Trump.
According to the arrest affidavit, Garrett admitted to pouring the contents of a can on him but denied hitting him with it, though an independent witness provided a sworn statement confirming the attack. This led to a charge of battery on a person 65 years or older.
When officers responded, Garrett allegedly resisted arrest. Around 6:35 PM, while Officer J. Hartwell attempted to detain her, she dropped to the ground, wrapped her legs around him, and caused him to fall, bruising his knee. She continued to kick and pull away, resulting in her being restrained with a hobble by four officers. This incident led to a charge of battery on a law enforcement officer.
Additionally, Garrett was charged with resisting an officer without violence for initially walking away and refusing to comply during the investigation, FOX 13 Tampa Bay first reported.
Post-Miranda, she allegedly admitted to the acts, citing political disagreements over the elderly man’s support for Donald Trump.
Garrett was booked into Pinellas County Jail on Tuesday.
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