Man who targeted Republican Party volunteers appears in court smiling

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A man who plowed his van into a Republican Party voter registration tent was in court for the first time since the incident Sunday.

The incident has made national headlines. President Trump even tweeted about it.

27-year-old Gregory Timm walked into the courtroom with a smile on his face then gave our cameras a nod before sitting down.

UPDATED STORY: Man accused of running into voter registration tent in Jacksonville told police he does not like Donald Trump

Timm is accused of driving an older model van into a tent in the Kernan Village shopping center Saturday afternoon where a group of volunteers with the Duval Republican Party was attempting to register people to vote.

Police said no one was hurt.

After running over chairs and tables, witnesses told police Timm got out of the car started recording on his cell phone, made an obscene gesture and then sped off.

Timm was arrested hours later at his home and charged with aggravated assault, criminal mischief and driving with a suspended license.

Action News Jax reporter Jamarlo Phillips went to the home where police arrested Timm and found a man who knew him.

“I’m just a friend of the owner,” said Raymond, who only wanted to be identified by his first name.

When Phillips asked to speak to the owner, Raymond said he was asleep.

He did recognize Timm’s face when Phillips showed him a picture.

“I haven’t seen him that much, and we have had just “Hi” type of conversations,” said Raymond.

“For someone to do something like that, whether it be Republican or Democrat or whatever the case may be, that’s surprising to me,” said Raymond.

Action News Jax checked Timm’s social media and didn’t find any obvious political ties.

The chairwoman of the Republican National Committee sent Action News Jax this statement:

“This act of cowardice will not silence us, and we remain resilient.”

Daniel Henry the president of Duval County Democrats also issued a statement:

“No one’s life should be placed in danger for exercising their first amendment rights.”

Timm is in the Duval County jail on a more than $500,000 bond.

He will be back in court on March 3, 2019.

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