Laura Elizabeth Garrett, a 33-year-old Florida woman, was arrested on May 20, 2025, and charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor after what police describe as a MAGA hat attack at a Largo park, in which she allegedly struck a 72-year-old man in the head and shoulder with a can and later injured an officer during her arrest.1The Independent. Florida Woman Charged After Allegedly Attacking Man With Can Over MAGA Hat2FOX 13 News. Florida Woman Strikes Man in MAGA Hat at Largo Park Before Battering Officer
What Happened at the Largo Park
The encounter took place around 5:30 p.m. at Northeast Park and Paw Place, 4630 East Bay Drive in Largo. Garry Gama, 72, was wearing a hat supporting President Donald Trump when Garrett approached and questioned his support for the president, according to the arrest affidavit. The conversation turned into an argument.2FOX 13 News. Florida Woman Strikes Man in MAGA Hat at Largo Park Before Battering Officer
Gama told investigators that Garrett hit him on the back of the head and shoulder with the can she was holding, then jumped a fence and fled. An independent witness gave a sworn statement backing that account.3Newsweek. Florida Woman Arrested After Attack on Man in MAGA Hat
Garrett’s Version
When officers spoke with Garrett, she admitted approaching Gama and pouring the contents of the can on his head. She denied striking him with it.2FOX 13 News. Florida Woman Strikes Man in MAGA Hat at Largo Park Before Battering Officer
The Arrest and Injured Officer
Largo Police located Garrett after the incident. When officers moved to take her into custody, she dropped her full body weight to the ground and began kicking and pulling away, according to police documents. Officers handcuffed her and applied a hobble restraint.2FOX 13 News. Florida Woman Strikes Man in MAGA Hat at Largo Park Before Battering Officer3Newsweek. Florida Woman Arrested After Attack on Man in MAGA Hat
As officers walked her to a patrol vehicle, the affidavit says Garrett wrapped both legs around one of the officers. The officer fell and left with a bruised knee.2FOX 13 News. Florida Woman Strikes Man in MAGA Hat at Largo Park Before Battering Officer
The Charges She Faces
Garrett was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on three counts:
- Battery on a person 65 years of age or older
- Battery on a law enforcement officer
- Obstructing or resisting an officer without violence
Both battery counts are felonies under Florida law. Section 784.08 reclassifies battery against someone 65 or older from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony, and applies regardless of whether the offender knew the victim’s age. The statute also bars a court from suspending, deferring, or withholding adjudication, and allows restitution and up to 500 hours of community service on top of any sentence.4Florida Legislature. Section 784.08 – Assault or Battery on Persons 65 Years of Age or Older Section 784.07 similarly reclassifies battery on a law enforcement officer engaged in official duties to a third-degree felony.5Florida Senate. Section 784.07 – Assault or Battery of Law Enforcement Officers
Where the Case Stands
Garrett was initially held without bond and released from the Pinellas County Jail on the night of May 21, 2025, one day after her arrest.1The Independent. Florida Woman Charged After Allegedly Attacking Man With Can Over MAGA Hat The case was forwarded to the Pinellas County State Attorney’s office, which decides whether to file formal charges. Newsweek reported it was “unclear at this time whether or not it will go to court,” and no plea, court date, or resolution has been publicly reported since.3Newsweek. Florida Woman Arrested After Attack on Man in MAGA Hat