BOCA RATON, Fla. (CBS12) — A planned protest outside a Boca Raton Home Depot remained peaceful Saturday, except for one heckler who allegedly attacked a demonstrator.
Deputies with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office say approximately 500 people gathered Saturday afternoon at the Home Depot in the 9800 block of Glades Road. The demonstration was largely orderly, with participants complying with lawful directives and remaining within designated protest areas. No widespread traffic issues, property damage, or disorderly conduct were reported.
The only criminal incident involved a protest disrupter, identified as Thomas Landry of Boca Raton, who was not participating in the protest.
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According to a video of the incident shared on social media, Landry is seen battering one of the demonstrators. The video appears to show Landry swiping a helmet off the head of a retired firefighter attending the protest and mocking him by calling him a “phony firefighter.”
One witness alleged that Landry punched the demonstrator seen in the video before the recording of the incident began.
CBS12 has confirmed the victim is a retired Boynton Beach firefighter.
Landry was arrested and charged with two counts of battery. He was transported to the Palm Beach County Jail, where his bond was set at $2,000.
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No other arrests or injuries were reported, and the remainder of the protest concluded without incident.
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