POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is always straightforward, and Monday’s news conference was no exemption when it comes to rioters or anyone breaking into homes.
Judd expressed admiration for the peaceful protesters in Lakeland and across the country, but then blasted those who would try to resort to violence, Fox 13 reported.
“Let there be no misunderstanding, if you come here to riot, to loot, to injure people, we’re going to lock you up in the county jail,” Judd said. “We are going to hunt you down and lock you up if you engage in any criminal conduct.”
"The people in Polk County like guns, they have guns, I encourage them to own guns… And if you try to break into their homes to steal, to set fires, I'm highly recommending they blow you back out of the house with their guns." STORY: https://t.co/NjG4Frlphy pic.twitter.com/KH0g3X0POC
— FOX 13 Tampa Bay (@FOX13News) June 1, 2020
Moreover, the sheriff didn’t mince words as he warned anyone looking to look break into Polk County homes.
“I would tell them, if you value your life, they probably shouldn’t do that in Polk County. Because the people of Polk County like guns, they have guns, I encourage them to own guns, and they’re going to be in their homes tonight with their guns loaded, and if you try to break into their homes to steal, to set fires, I’m highly recommending they blow you back out of the house with their guns. So, leave the community alone,” the sheriff said.
Judd expressed anger at George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, reported Fox 13.
“The death of George in Minneapolis at the hands of that police officer was outrageous,” Judd said. “Had that police officer done here what he did there, he would have been locked up in the county jail by sundown.”
