Folks, let’s talk about what went down after a recent Trump rally in Asheboro, North Carolina.
It’s not every day that a "safe and uneventful" event ends with two men in handcuffs and firearms confiscated, but that’s exactly what happened here. So, what’s the story? Well, it involves a 79-year-old man named Robert Castona Jr., some road rage, and a whole lot of confusion.
Here’s the rundown: After the rally ended, and as attendees were heading home, a situation unfolded that got the Asheboro Police Department involved. According to the police, Castona was involved in a road rage incident.
During this incident, he allegedly displayed a weapon from within his vehicle. Now, before we jump to conclusions, it’s important to note that the police made it clear that Castona "made no threats to assault anyone." The firearm was shown, but it wasn’t pointed at anyone, which is a crucial detail.
As you might expect, given the circumstances, this incident caught the attention of the officers who were already on high alert, assisting the Secret Service with security at the rally. They quickly detained Castona to figure out what was going on, especially since there were rumors flying around that he had threatened someone at gunpoint. But after a thorough investigation, the police found that the situation wasn’t as severe as some had feared.
The charge Castona is facing? It falls under North Carolina General Statute 14-277.2, which deals with "Weapons at Parades, etc., prohibited." Basically, this statute makes it illegal to display weapons at public events like parades or rallies.
Castona was cited for having the weapon in his vehicle during the rally. The police confirmed that the incident didn’t meet the elements for more serious charges, such as typical weapons offenses, assault, or communicating threats.
Interestingly, this all took place away from the main event site, after the rally had wrapped up. The police emphasized that the rally itself went off without a hitch, with no major incidents reported. However, this post-rally road rage incident added an unexpected twist to the evening.
Castona has been released after being issued a citation and now has a court date set for September 16, 2024.