A provocative candidate for Florida governor threatened to send a heavily armed team to address the Sunshine State’s next “teen takeover” after a teenager was shot at a youth riot over the weekend.
James Fishback, a far-right Republican running for governor of Florida, warned that he would fight fire with fire if a “teen takeover” descends onto any of the state’s 67 counties.
“If we find out that a teen takeover is showing up, we’re showing up with a dozen people with AR-15s. We’re gonna exercise our Second Amendment right and we are gonna protect communities like this,” Fishback said.
The long-shot gubernatorial hopeful indicated that the ultimatum was a response to a chaotic riot in Clearwater, Florida on Sunday, where a 17-year-old boy was shot multiple times.
Noel Marsh III, 16, was arrested in connection with the shooting on Tuesday, according to the Clearwater Police Department. He was charged with attempted second-degree murder, discharging a firearm in public and unlawful possession of a firearm by a minor.
The teenage victim remains hospitalized, but is expected to be OK.
Sunday’s mutiny was advertised as a “link up” online and attracted hundreds of adrenaline-fueled teenagers.
Most “takeovers” follow the same predictable formula. The mob flocks to a large open space, typically a park or a mall — advertised on social media — and start brawling with one another at random.
Many hotspots have attempted to institute curfews to curb the teenage anarchy, but with little success.
Fishback is the first public figure to suggest fighting violence with violence.
Even his staunchest supporters were wary of his proposition.
“I like James, but I hope this is more of a threat than a prediction. Unless someone’s life is in danger, I don’t want shooting,” one person commented on X.
“Gotta be honest. Unhinged, brother. Unhinged. We do not need a showdown at the OK Corral. Call in SWAT teams. Call in the State Guard. Do not turn this into a standoff with citizens on both sides,” another man added.
Fishback has gained notoriety for his outlandish stances and tactics.
In February, the 31-year-old made a campaign Tinder account “to meet young female voters where they are.”
Then, in May, he married a mystery blonde woman mere weeks after ditching his longtime girlfriend.
Fishback is also embroiled in a long-running legal spat with hedge fund titan David Einhorn — and was dumped by his legal team when he refused to pay a $150,000 bill.
He told The Post that the only person he ever repays is his mother. Then, he took to X to ponder, “Why on earth would I pay [my attorney] for losing?”
