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    • Macomb Co. authorities. is investigating alleged violence and hate speech against Harris-Walz volunteers
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    Macomb Co. authorities. is investigating alleged violence and hate speech against Harris-Walz volunteers

    Online Niel Posted on

    St. Clair Shores — Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido said he will decide Monday whether to charge a man who is accused of making hateful comments before driving his car into a group of volunteers distributing campaign materials this month in endorsement of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

    Lucido said his office’s Hate Crimes Division is looking into the allegations, “and we should be able to say if we’re going to charge this guy today. We have evidence, including the 911 call that was made, statements from the accused and depositions. from the witnesses”.

    One of the witnesses was Melissa Crook, who told The Detroit News she feared for her life on Oct. 13 when the man gunned the engine of her Mercedes before moving toward her and other volunteers outside the VFW Bruce Post on Jefferson Avenue near Martin.

    “I was in a neck brace because I had neck surgery and I couldn’t move to my right; I could just back up,” said Crook, 41, of St. Clair Shores. “He stopped his vehicle less than two meters from where I had moved.” I thought that man was going to kill me.

    Crook, who said he regularly helps organize events for the Democratic Party, said the incident happened around 3:45 p.m. outside an “activation tent” he helped set up with several hours earlier next to a similar tent outside the VFW hall depicting the Republican presidential candidate. Donald Trump.

    “Most of the people who came were happy to see us there,” Crook said. “We got a few people who thought we were the Trump tent, but when they found out we were for Harris-Walz, they turned around and left. But one man became very angry.”

    When the man learned that the tent was set up by the Democratic Club of St. Clair Shores and the Macomb County Democrats, “started spewing hateful things; anti-LGBTQ stuff,” Crooks said. “He then said something vile to a woman and her daughter about their weight. I said, “We are obviously not what you are looking for; can you please leave?” He said: “I can’t wait for Trump to win because people like you would be exterminated.”

    Crook said the man then got into his car and gunned the engine.

    “She could have backed out (of the parking spot), but she pointed it right at me and the tent,” Crook said.

    The man then drove at a high rate of speed toward the tent before slamming on his brakes, Crook said.

    Crook said he was unaware of anyone filming the alleged incident.

    “I pulled out my phone and literally when I was about to hit the record, that’s when he started driving at me,” she said. “However, there are 10 witnesses who saw him.”

    Crook said police in St. Clair Shores responded to the group’s 911 call and that all witnesses gave reports to the officer.

    “I only gave a partial plate and the description of the vehicle,” Crook said. “(The suspect) was pulled over the next day for a traffic violation, and because of the partial plate and the description of the car, the officers asked him if he was the person who was involved (in the alleged incident), and he totally was. he recognized her to the police…so that helped, glad he did since we don’t have video.

    Crook said officials at the VFW hall told him their surveillance camera is not trained on the area where the alleged incident occurred.

    The police of St. Clair Shores did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday.

    Lucido said he wasn’t sure if police removed video from nearby businesses.

    “It’s all part of what our team is investigating,” he said. “We should know more in a few hours.”

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