A teenager armed with machetes was arrested after a group was accused of intimidating Democratic supporters at a polling station in Florida, police said

Police arrested an 18-year-old brandishing a machete with an 18-inch blade outside a polling station in Florida on Tuesday and was among a group of teenagers accused of intimidating Democratic supporters.

The teenager, Caleb James Williams, was arrested after 4 p.m. when officers were called to the Beaches Branch Library in Neptune Beach.

Williams was arrested on aggravated assault charges for allegedly brandishing his weapon at two unidentified women, ages 71 and 54, and improperly displaying a weapon, Neptune Beach police said.

The local Democratic campaign said it was “deeply concerned” by Tuesday's events, saying a group of young men waving signs supporting former President Donald Trump were confronted by a group holding signs supporting Kamala Harris advertised.

Police Chief Michael J. Key Jr. said at a news conference Tuesday evening that officers found a group of eight people, including seven juveniles and one adult, in the library parking lot, he said.

The group approached opposing signs and an argument ensued between the two sides before Williams “swung a machete above his head in an aggressive, threatening posture,” Key said, adding that the department has released a picture of the moment.

“The group was there for no other reason than malicious intent, to cause trouble,” Key continued.

Key added that the incident was clearly a case of actions that went beyond what free speech laws allow.

“This goes far beyond expressing freedom of speech — to say that your contribution is a right protected by the First Amendment, but that is lost the moment you raise a machete threateningly over your head,” he said. Key said there were no plans to arrest or charge any of the group's other members because their actions did not “cross the criminal line,” but stressed that an investigation was underway.

Daniel Henry, chairman of the Duval County Democratic Party, praised the police's quick response.

He said in a statement: “We are deeply concerned about a violent incident today at Beaches Library in which a group of young men carrying Trump flags and one individual armed with a machete confronted peaceful Harris Walz signs, who trained their first.” Amendment rights.”

Police have tried to reassure people that the polling station and other locations in the county remain safe for voters.

Duval GOP did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NBC News.