Deputies in St. Johns County charged an Elkton man with a hate crime after an early-morning rampage at a McDonalds on U.S. 1 in St. Augustine.
The victims, who said they are still shaken up and tired from the incident, said they were threatened with a knife and a stun gun because of their Middle Eastern descent.
The report states that, during an argument Wednesday morning, 60-year-old John Smith pulled a "switch blade style, automatic knife" on the group and yelled, “Get out of my country! You do not deserve to eat here!”
After that, deputies said, Smith retrieved a stun gun from his car.
“Get out of my country! You don’t deserve to eat here!”@SJSOPIO says John Smith, 60, threatened a group of people of Middle Eastern descent with a knife & a stun gun at a #StAugustine McDonald’s early this morning.
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) May 23, 2018
He’s now charged with a hate crime. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/GAfVytGhv5
The Sheriff’s Office said Smith stuck it in the window of the victim’s car, and that person had to lean back to avoid being shocked in the face.
The report states that the victims were so shaken by the encounter, he backed into a pole in the parking lot, causing minor damage to his vehicle.
Wayne Cope, who runs a business next door, said he recognized Smith when Action News Jax showed him the man's mug shot.
Cope said fights happen at the McDonald's all the time, especially during early-morning hours.
“I see this stuff, altercations of all types all the time, and it’s usually right there by that handicapped sign where they hang up on that wall there,” Cope said.
.@SJSOPIO says Smith told deputies his son died serving in Afghanistan.
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) May 23, 2018
“They killed my son. My son was a Marine,” the report states Smith said in the back of a patrol vehicle. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/YP6NCPqr6w
The Sheriff’s Office said Smith smelled of alcohol and was slurring his words.
In the report, Smith told deputies he only committed the acts due to the victim’s religion, which isn’t known to the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said Smith claimed his son had died while serving in Afghanistan and said, “They killed my son. My son was a Marine.”
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office charged Smith with three felonies -- aggravated assault, trespassing and burglary.
Deputies said any punishments could be increased since this is being considered a hate crime.
.@SJSOPIO says this happened around 2:30 a.m. So far, the victims have chosen not to be interviewed, saying they’re still shaken up and tired from the incident. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/jrLaRHrlzQ
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) May 23, 2018
Cox Media Group