Florida man arrested for driving into anti-Musk protesters
Shocking scenes unfolded in Palm Beach, Florida, as reports emerged of a driver deliberately driving into a group of protesters opposing Elon Musk's stance. The man was subsequently arrested.
Forty-four-year-old Andrew Dutil was taken into custody in Palm Beach after witnesses claimed that he drove his black Nissan SUV into a crowd of protesters outside the Tesla showroom.
Last Saturday, the protesters were demonstrating against the actions of Elon Musk, who, they believe, has become a key advisor to President Donald Trump.
Media reports emphasize that the police received numerous calls regarding the incident. According to the official statement, Dutil drove onto the sidewalk slowly, steering the vehicle straight toward the crowd of demonstrators.
Florida man arrested
Officers found his car parked on the curb, surrounded by a group of protesters. During the intervention, the man offered no resistance. He was arrested and taken to jail.
Fortunately, none of the demonstrators were injured, although the situation could have ended tragically. ABC News reports that Dutil has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (in this case, a car), though without intent to kill.
One of the protest participants, Karen Holland, told officers that she saw the same driver earlier, passing by the protesters and shouting insults. The atmosphere was tense from the morning.
Protests in front of Tesla showrooms are currently taking place worldwide, mainly due to the increasingly controversial role of Elon Musk in U.S. politics. He is seen as one of Donald Trump's most influential advisors, despite not holding any official position.
