Politics - News Analysis

Trump Supporter Convicted of Shooting at Men Riding Jet Ski with Joe Biden Flag on Election Day

In Florida, a man who’s equally an avid Trump supporter and QAnon conspiracy believer has been convicted of shooting at a man who was flying a “Ridin’ With Biden” on his jet ski on Election Day 2020.

Edoardo Acosta, 39, has been convicted of attempted murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, and armed robbery. He faces a potentially steep sentence of 20 years to life imprisonment when he is sentenced on December 16, The Independent reports.

Prosecutors told the Miami-based court that Acosta was out on his own watercraft with a small group of people on November 3, 2020, he came across two men on a small island in Biscayne Bay.

Jurors were told that the two men, Wilson Peralta and Alfredo Garcia, were on their own craft which was flying a flag in support of Joe Biden, The Miami Herald reports.

Acosta soon began arguing with the men, spouting the fake QAnon conspiracy theory that anyone who supports Biden is a “child molester.”

There are numerous QAnon conspiracy theories, but the one that Acosta began arguing with the men about is likely the most bizarre one. This “theory” holds that there is a “deep state” cabal of pedophile traffickers who were working to ensure Donald Trump was defeated during the 2020 election.

Jurors were told that Acosta was forcibly held back when he lunged at the men, but he later returned with a handgun and shot at the men as they climbed on their jet skis and sped away from the scene. However, both men fell off the craft after a bullet was fired over their heads, investigators say.

According to police, Acosta caught up with the men, telling them at gunpoint and in Spanish, “Don’t come back to this island. I’m going to kill you.” Fortunately, neither of the men was harmed.

Acosta’s lawyer, Eric Matheny, told the court that Acosta armed himself because he was fearful of the two men and that the gun was fired accidentally when his finger bumped the trigger in rough water. Acosta, who sold exotic cars and has four children, was taken into custody after the verdict.

Perhaps what this lawyer said is true, but it seems to me if you’re afraid of someone, you leave. That seems to be what Acosta did, but then he came back with a gun. And I’ve handled guns before and been in plenty of rough ocean water. Rarely are a gun’s triggers this sensitive. Which means I really don’t believe what the man was saying.

It looks like Acosta will have plenty of time to reflect on this during his time behind bars.

meet the author

Megan has lived in California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida and she currently lives in Central America. Living in these places has informed her writing on politics, science, and history. She is currently owned by 15 cats and 3 dogs and regularly owns Trump supporters when she has the opportunity. She can be found on Twitter at https://twitter.com/GaiaLibra and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/politicalsaurus

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