Michigan driver accused of trying to run over Harris supporters charged with ethnic assault and intimidation

(CBS DETROIT) – A 55-year-old man from St. Claire Shores accused of trying to run over election canvassers in St. Clair Shores was charged in October with assault and ethnic intimidation.

On October 12, Jason Lynch Lafond allegedly went to a tent in the Bruce Post VFW parking lot on Jefferson Avenue in search of former President Donald Trump’s campaign materials. Political campaigns sometimes use the parking lot to hand out materials to both Democratic and Republican candidates.

On that day, volunteers from the St. Democratic Club Clair Shores were working on the tent and told Lafond it was the Harris/Walz campaign tent. Lafond allegedly shouted derogatory insults at the group, including anti-LGBTQ slurs.

Officials say Lafond then told the canvassers that when Trump won, he would “exterminate” people like them. He then returned to his vehicle and accelerated towards the salesmen, who jumped out of his way. Lafon then left the stage.

“He shot at his vehicle so quickly that I legitimately thought I was going to die. I thought this man was going to kill me,” said Melissa Crook, a volunteer with the St. Patrick’s Democratic Club. Claire Shores. “I still don’t know how he was able to stop his car so quickly because it’s not an electric vehicle, but he did it and I’m grateful he did it, but I thought that was it and I would never see my loved one again.”

Lafond was charged with three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon – a four-year offense – and three counts of ethnic intimidation – a two-year offense.

“This alleged assault was not just an attack on the victims. This was an attack on victims’ right to speak freely and safely, and it impacted our entire community. Acts of violence, assault or harassment based on someone’s identity have no place here and threaten our democracy and the exercise of free speech in fair and safe elections,” Macomb County Attorney Peter J. Lucido said in a statement.

On Thursday, Lafond was arraigned in St. District Court. Clair Shores and posted a $50,000 bond. He was ordered to have no contact with victims or witnesses and must wear a GPS tether.

Lafond is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 8 for a probable cause hearing.