New Hampshire poet arrested for slapping voter outside Laconia school
Stephen Redic faces misdemeanor charges after a confrontation at a Turning Point Action polling station.
By Aaron Foster ·
A physical altercation erupted outside a Laconia elementary school on Tuesday, leaving a young voter with a facial injury and a 70-year-old poet in custody. The incident occurred during an election day event hosted by Turning Point Action.
Laconia Police Department officers took Stephen Redic into custody around 8 a.m. on Wednesday. He faces two charges: simple assault, which is a misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct, a violation. Police Chief Matthew Canfield stated that the department had no prior contact with the suspect. "We're not familiar with him, meaning we've had no prior contacts," Canfield said.
According to the police press release, Redic approached the organization's tent while leaving the venue. He reportedly wanted to read a poem about rich people. Viral video of the encounter shows the victim, an 18-year-old Turning Point member, attempting to engage in debate. Redic becomes increasingly agitated, raising his voice before shouting that the victim dares to look him in the face.
"That's what I know," Redic says in the footage before delivering a backhand slap to the victim. He then storms away, muttering a curse. Onlookers are heard discussing a call to the police immediately after the strike.
Redic published a collection of poetry in 2023 titled "Tying My Shoes." In that work, he claimed to have met every U.S. president since Dwight D. Eisenhower. As of Wednesday afternoon, it was unclear if he had retained legal counsel, and he did not immediately respond to attempts to reach him.
The slap occurred 14 months after the assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, an event that took place under a similar tent structure. Kirk founded both Turning Point USA and its affiliate, Turning Point Action. His accused killer, Tyler Robinson, pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for a court hearing on Monday that may set a trial date.
Redic is due in court on Dec. 10 for his arraignment. The Laconia police have not released further details regarding the condition of the victim beyond the facial injury shown in the video.
