Elderly man punched at a Trump rally in St. Johns County is now pressing charges

NOCATEE, Fla. — The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office says an elderly man, who was reportedly punched in the face by a protester at a Trump rally in Nocatee, has decided that he will be pressing charges against the man he said hit him.

The 24-year-old accused of punching him said he was protecting himself after the older man approached him to argue over a Trump sign with profanity on it.

The 72-year-old man, Dan, declined to press charges after SJSO identified the man on Facebook.

Since then, Dan has changed his mind.

The Sheriff’s Office told Action News Jax Thursday that Dan is pursuing charges and that additional witnesses said the 24-year-old was “antagonizing” Dan and “appeared to be the aggressor.”

The State Attorney’s Office is reviewing whether to press formal battery charges against the younger man.

READ: SJCSO looking for man who punched an elderly man

Cox Media Group