'We Will Kill You': Brevard Sheriff Fires Stern Warning at Protestors Targeting Police in Riots
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey issued a blunt, no B.S. warning Wednesday to potential rioters looking to commit violence as the county gears up for this weekend's No Kings Day Protests, which intend to push back against actions by President Donald Trump and his administration.
Ivey put out his "FAFO" ultimatum during a press conference with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier in Titusville.
“If you throw a brick, a firebomb, or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains at. Because we will kill you, graveyard dead. We’re not gonna play,” Ivey said.
Ivey continued with his ominous warning to agitators.
“If you resist lawful orders, you’re going to jail, let me be very clear about that,” Ivey added. “If you block an intersection or a roadway in Brevard County, you are going to jail. If you flee arrest, you’re going to go to jail tired, because we are going to run you down and put you in jail.”
The sheriff's unminced words come as violent reactions continue in Los Angeles over immigration raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In some cases, protestors have thrown rocks at police cars on the Los Angeles Freeway and have tried to stop ICE vehicles from leaving raids in the city.
Critics have argued tensions from the protests worsened after Trump ordered thousands of National Guard troops and 700 US Marines to the city to mitigate the violence.
“If you try to mob rule a car in Brevard County gathering around it, refusing to let the driver leave, in our county, you’re most likely going to get run over and dragged across the street,” Ivey said. “If you spit on us, you’re going to the hospital and in jail. If you hit one of us, you’re going to the hospital and jail, and most likely get bitten by one of our big, beautiful dogs that we have here.”
About 75 No Kings Day protests are expected across Florida. The protests also fall on the same day as Flag Day and Trump's scheduled military parade celebrating the U.S. Army's 250th Birthday in Washington, D.C.
“This has got to stop. You’re watching what’s taking place out there," Ivey said. "You’re seeing police officers that are being attacked, being spit on, being put in harm’s way just for doing their jobs. You’re seeing ICE agents that are being targeted for doing their jobs, and you’re seeing obstructionists that are doing all of this standing in the way of law and order.”