KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Tuesday, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) announced that it has apprehended a woman caught on video assaulting a voter returning an absentee ballot.
During the incident, which happened near the drop box located at 415 E. Stockbridge Avenue, police say the suspect grabbed the victim from behind, threw him to the ground, and then struck him several times.
While the motive is unclear, the suspect is believed to have been suffering from mental health issues at the time of the incident.
“In Kalamazoo, we will not tolerate any type of voter interference and we have a plan to ensure every vote is counted and every voter can exercise his or her right safely,” KDPS Chief Vernon Coakley said in a statement. “Fortunately, ballot boxes in Kalamazoo have been affixed with a surveillance camera and we were able to capture images of the suspect. KDPS has located and apprehended the suspect, who has been admitted to a local hospital and is receiving treatment.”
According to Coakley, the investigation is ongoing. The victim, a 74-year-old Kalamazoo resident, sustained minor injuries to his hands and knees and was transported by LIFE EMS to Bronson Hospital.
Kalamazoo Public Safety reminds citizens to report suspicious activity at 269-337-8994 or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100
Tips can also be submitted online at www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.
This comes a day after Chief Coakley issued statements on voter intimidation during the election cycle. More information on that can be found here.
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