Man Charged with Assault After Allegedly Driving Toward Protesters at Florida Tesla Dealership Amid Nationwide Anti-Musk Demonstrations

A man has been apprehended and charged with assault after allegedly driving his vehicle toward a group of demonstrators outside a Tesla dealership in Palm Beach County, Florida. The incident occurred during a protest against billionaire Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump, according to local authorities. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies responded to the scene of a planned protest at a West Palm Beach Tesla dealership on Saturday, where the suspect, identified as Andrew Dutil, drove his car onto the curb and slowly advanced toward the protesters.

The protest was part of a series of demonstrations across the United States targeting businesses associated with Tesla, the company led by Musk. These protests were organized in response to Musk’s collaboration with the Trump administration on initiatives involving federal funding cuts and workforce reductions. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident, as the protesters managed to move out of the vehicle’s path in time.

Court documents reveal that Dutil is currently being held in the Palm Beach County Jail and faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill. The sheriff’s office released a statement noting that the protesters had to quickly move to avoid being struck by the vehicle. It remains unclear whether Dutil has secured legal representation or when his court appearance is scheduled.

This incident is part of a broader pattern of unrest, with several other violent episodes reported at Tesla-related sites. In Seattle, Cybertrucks have been set on fire, while shots were fired at a Tesla dealership in Oregon. These attacks on properties associated with Elon Musk’s electric car company have been occurring both domestically and internationally, highlighting a growing trend of hostility toward the brand and its leadership.