An elderly man was arrested after police said he slapped a younger Turning Point USA volunteer outside a polling place in Laconia, New Hampshire, on Election Day. Video of the confrontation has since circulated widely online.
Laconia police said officers were called to Woodland Heights Elementary School, the Ward 5 polling location, shortly after 2:40 p.m. Tuesday. The volunteer told police he was working at an outdoor Turning Point USA information booth when the man approached and began reading a poem about wealthy people.
The two started debating, according to police, and the man grew increasingly agitated. The volunteer said the man raised his voice, yelled at him and struck the right side of his face with the back of his hand.
In the video, the man challenges the volunteer for questioning his knowledge. The volunteer replies that the man has not offered any statistics. The man then moves closer, raises a middle finger near the volunteer’s face and slaps him before walking away while continuing to yell profanities.
The volunteer does not respond physically. People nearby can be heard objecting as the man leaves.
Police said they reviewed video and spoke with witnesses before identifying the man as Stephen Redic, 70, of Laconia. An arrest warrant was issued, and officers arrested him at 7:42 a.m. Wednesday.
Redic was charged with simple assault, a Class A misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct. Police said he is scheduled to be arraigned in Laconia at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 10.
Redic told WMUR-TV that the video showed only part of what happened. He also said his behavior was inexcusable and apologized.
Laconia Police Chief Matt Canfield told the station that Redic was angry and strongly opinionated, and that the argument escalated before he struck the volunteer. Police said they had not dealt with Redic before.
