Rubio Says Canvasser Attacked While Handing Out Flier, Police Make Arrest

HIALEAH (FLV) – U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio said one of his canvassers wearing a Marco Rubio T-shirt and Ron DeSantis hat was “brutally” attacked Sunday.

When asked about Rubio’s claim, the Hialeah Police Department said Javier Lopez was arrested after striking a 27-year-old victim multiple times Sunday.

The victim was handing out fliers when Lopez told the victim he was not allowed to walk on the sidewalk and pass out fliers in his neighborhood, according to police. Police said the victim then walked across the street to avoid confrontation but was again approached by Lopez.

The police report said during a verbal dispute the defendant rushed towards the victim and slammed the victim against the floor. The report said another person who fled the scene before police arrived kicked the defendant on the right side of his face.

The report said the defendant struck the victim’s face with his fists and caused severe swelling on the right side of his face. The defendant continued to hit the victim’s mouth and cause severe swelling and bleeding, according to the report.

Lopez, 22, has been taken into custody and was charged with aggravated battery.

“Last night one of our canvassers wearing my T-shirt and a DeSantis hat was brutally attacked by 4 animals who told him Republicans weren’t allowed in their neighborhood in Hialeah,” Rubio said in a tweet.

Rubio said the canvasser suffered internal bleeding, a broken jaw and will need facial reconstructive surgery.