A 70-year-old man was arrested in Laconia, New Hampshire, after video appeared to show him slapping a Turning Point Action member outside an elementary school polling location. Police identified the suspect as Stephen Redic and charged him with misdemeanor simple assault and disorderly conduct. The incident occurred Tuesday while voters were casting ballots, and police said the arrest was made Wednesday morning. Redic is scheduled for arraignment in December.
| Article Subheadings | |
|---|---|
| 1) | Incident outside the Laconia polling location |
| 2) | Video captures the alleged confrontation |
| 3) | Police arrest and charges |
| 4) | Redic’s background and court schedule |
| 5) | Political context surrounding the incident |
Incident outside the Laconia polling location
The confrontation took place Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, outside a Laconia elementary school where voters were casting ballots. Police said Redic approached a Turning Point Action tent as he was leaving the site. The organization identified the person involved as an 18-year-old member or volunteer.
According to the police account, Redic said he wanted to read a poem about rich people before the exchange became heated. The available video does not include the poem reading. The circumstances leading to the argument were not otherwise detailed in the police statement.
Video captures the alleged confrontation
Cellphone video shows an older man, identified by police as Redic, arguing with the Turning Point member. The man appears to raise his voice, gesture toward the younger person and extend a middle finger before striking him across the face with a backhand motion.
“You sit there and dare to look me in the face and say I don’t know anything?”
The video shows the man walking away after the alleged slap. He later appears to use profanity as people nearby discuss contacting police. The footage also captures audible reactions from onlookers, who appeared surprised by the physical exchange.
Police arrest and charges
The Laconia Police Department said officers arrested Redic at approximately 8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4. He faces a misdemeanor simple assault charge and a disorderly conduct violation. Police Chief Matthew Canfield said officers had no prior contact with Redic.
“We’re not familiar with him, meaning we’ve had no prior contacts,” Canfield said.
The charges reflect the allegations described by police and shown in the video. A criminal charge is not a finding of guilt, and the case will proceed through the court system.
Redic’s background and court schedule
Stephen Redic is the author of the 2023 poetry book “Tying My Shoes.” The book includes a claim that he met every U.S. president since Dwight D. Eisenhower. Police also described him as 70 years old.
Redic is due in court Dec. 10 for an arraignment. It was not immediately clear whether he had retained an attorney, and he did not immediately respond to an effort to obtain comment. The available account did not provide information about a potential injury to the Turning Point member.
Political context surrounding the incident
The alleged assault occurred at a Turning Point Action outreach tent, where the participants were engaged in a political dispute. Turning Point Action is affiliated with Turning Point USA, which was founded by Charlie Kirk.
The incident comes about 14 months after Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University during an event held under a similar tent. His accused killer, Tyler Robinson, has pleaded not guilty and was scheduled for a court hearing concerning a possible trial date. That separate case provides context for heightened attention around political events, but authorities have not indicated that it was connected to the Laconia confrontation.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Police arrested 70-year-old Stephen Redic in Laconia, New Hampshire. |
| 2 | He faces simple assault and disorderly conduct charges. |
| 3 | Video appears to show an alleged slap outside a polling location. |
| 4 | Redic is scheduled for arraignment on Dec. 10. |
Summary
Police arrested Stephen Redic after video appeared to show him striking a Turning Point Action member outside a Laconia polling location. The case involves misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct allegations, with an arraignment scheduled for Dec. 10. Further proceedings will determine how the allegations are handled in court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested?
Stephen Redic, a 70-year-old poet from New Hampshire, was arrested by Laconia police.
What charges does Redic face?
He faces misdemeanor simple assault and disorderly conduct charges.
When is the next court hearing?
Redic is scheduled for an arraignment on Dec. 10, 2026.
