A 38-year-old military veteran tossed a smoke bomb outside former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida because he was upset he had not yet received a stimulus check, according to a report.
Paul Brantly Rawls, of West Palm Beach, faces multiple charges including making, possessing, throwing or discharging any destructive device, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct, CBS 12 reported.
The US Secret Service and Palm Beach Police responded Sunday afternoon to a report of a smoking and smoldering device on South Ocean Boulevard, where two cars crashed while trying to avoid the device.
The bomb turned out to be a 7.5-inch fused incendiary device called “5 Minute White Smoke” made by Pyro U, according to police.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office’s bomb squad was deployed to look for additional devices, CBS 12 reported.
Surveillance footage showed someone in a gray Volkswagen throwing the device out the car window.
Police traced the license plate to Rawls, who told cops on his cellphone, “I know the real reason you want to talk to me,” the station reported, citing the arrest report.
“I know why I’m here, it’s because I threw a smoke bomb, it’s all on video,” he told investigators later.
Police found nine smoke bombs, four flares, four 5 Minute White Smoke devices, a 12-foot expandable hook, nylon rope and a black glove in his car, according to the report.
Rawls told investigators he’s a former combat veteran and Airborne Ranger who has struggled since being discharged.
He spoke of his disdain for the former administration since his stimulus check had not yet arrived.
Rawls was being held at the Palm Beach County Jail on a $21,000 bond.
