Clinton supporter pepper-sprayed by Trump fan outside South Florida polling location

Tom Garrecht says Donna Tatlici pepper-sprayed him after he charged at her

JUPITER, Fla. – A woman campaigning for Donald Trump outside a South Florida polling place pepper-sprayed a Hillary Clinton voter during a confrontation, police said.

Jupiter police Sgt. Bradley Vince said officers were called to the center Tuesday morning after receiving multiple 911 calls.

Vince said Tom Garrecht, 52, and Donna Tatlici, 58, had exchanged words as Garrecht went in to vote, and the argument continued as he left.

"She's talking to somebody else and says, 'That's little man. Yeah. That's little man,' and then a derogatory term that I will won't repeat on TV," Garrecht told ABC affiliate WPBF.

Tatlici told reporters that Garrecht charged at her.

"(She) sprayed me with pepper spray. At that point, I went after her to knock everything out her hands," Garrecht said.

Police said statements from Garrecht, Tatlici and witnesses conflicted.

The state attorney's office will decide whether file assault charges against Garrecht. No arrests were made Tuesday. 

Both people were treated at the scene.


About the Authors:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.