\A West Palm Beach Tesla protest took a shocking turn when a man drove onto the sidewalk, nearly striking multiple demonstrators. As the protesters gathered to oppose Tesla and its ties to Elon Musk, they watched in disbelief when Andrew S. Dutil suddenly drove his vehicle over the curb toward the crowd, abruptly stopped, exited his vehicle, and walked into the dealership. Protesters were able to get out of the way just in time to avoid any physical injuries. However, the emotional injuries this attack has on the protest attendees is much harder to measure. Watch the Video Here.

Eyewitness Accounts: Chaos at the West Palm Beach Tesla Protest

One protester described the harrowing experience in their own words:

“Today’s protest at the West Palm Beach Tesla felt really impactful, honestly. I had been spending so much time doom-scrolling on TikTok when I came across an MSNBC clip about where to find Tesla takedown protests in my area a few days ago. I checked the website for more information and marked it in my calendar.

It was a bit nerve-wracking to go because you never know what to expect. Even though the intention is to peacefully protest, people can really react to it however they want to. I was happy waving my sign and getting supportive thumbs-ups from windows or honks, though. Even the middle fingers or yells helped because I think, ultimately, this really brings politics to life outside of just consuming media. Today, we told oncoming drivers that they’re not alone in their discontent with the administration and DOGE.

Unfortunately, one driver disagreed with us enough to try to scare people by pulling onto the sidewalk abruptly, almost hitting a few folks from what I saw.

He got out of the car in a hurry and said, ‘My car is overheating,’ and then sped-walked into the dealership.

He stayed in there for about 10 minutes with his car parked on the sidewalk. Some people were questioning the legitimacy of his statement or worried that there was a bomb. You could definitely tell everyone was united in feeling angry with him, though. He came back without a word and got into his car, and a few protesters tried to block his escape while the police were on their way. He did push a few people before almost immediately getting pulled over. When he parked this time, though, he lifted his car’s hood to play into his story about his car overheating.”

Another protester shared a similar account:

“I saw the black car drive into the crowd of mostly senior citizens. Everyone started yelling, and a few of us began recording. I didn’t know if anyone was hurt, but someone quickly confirmed that everyone was okay.”

One of the volunteers started to yell for everyone to get off the sidewalk, and someone asked me if I called the police. I stopped recording so I could get out of the way. I heard a few people say they called the police. We all backed away. Some people kept their flags and signs raised, but everyone was really shaken up and asking where the police were.”

West Palm Beach Tesla Protest Incident Leads to Arrest

As law enforcement arrived, protesters attempted to prevent Andrew S. Dutil from leaving. One protester recalled:

“I heard people yelling ‘no’ and saw the black car almost run over a group of older women. That’s when I started recording again and noticed the car was trying to speed away because the police were arriving.”

The Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office announced Andrew S. Dutil’s arrest and charges of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon Without Intent to Kill under Florida Statute 784.021 1A (FT). Authorities released his mugshot and booking details shortly afterward.

The Palm Beach Post broke the story on early Saturday evening.

A Deeper Look: Who is Andrew Dutil?

Dutil, a retired U.S. Army officer, resides in the Liberty Isles community in Palm Beach county, a short drive from the Tesla dealership where he was arrested. A background check and LinkedIn profile shows his employment to be current with the US Army Core of Engineers, with a long career there. His license plate also had a special notation, attesting him to be a wounded veteran.

According to his online profile, he actively participates in Trumpettes USA, a pro-Trump organization. His profile on their website openly displays his admiration for former President Trump. His Facebook activity has also raised concerns, as it reportedly includes alarmingly violent content. Ironically, Dutil had shared anti-Tesla posts as recently as June 2024. According to reports, the Tesla employee he spoke to said he entered the showroom, declared his support for Tesla, and left, contradicting reports that he was a Tesla employee or that his car overheated and had brake issues. His Linkedin profile and background check also show no evidence of his alleged employment at Tesla.

Andy Dutil’s June 2024 reshare of a meme comparing a Tesla Cybertruck towing a jet engine to a 1972 Chevy truck towing a commercial airplane resurfaced alongside two more anti-Tesla posts. These posts, which criticized Tesla’s impact and pricing, highlight the irony of Dutil attacking Tesla protesters despite his prior engagement in discussions about the company.

A History of “Questionable” Facebook Posts

We were able to archive a selection of his public Facebook posts, before they disappear from public view. As of the time this article posts, his Facebook is still public.

Andrew Dutil’s Facebook history reveals a pattern of aggressive online behavior, including controversial memes with offensive language, political attacks, and hostile rhetoric. His posts, which resurfaced after his arrest at the West Palm Beach Tesla Protest, provide insight into his digital footprint before the incident.

Throughout his public statements, Dutil has expressed unwavering support for Trump, frequently praising his leadership and policies. His affiliation with pro-Trump groups and his social media presence highlight his deep political convictions, often accompanied by inflammatory rhetoric.

The Story Took Off on Social Media Over the Weekend

Political Tensions and the Larger Controversy Surrounding the West Palm Beach Tesla Protest

The West Palm Beach Tesla protest is part of a broader movement against Elon Musk, who faces increasing scrutiny over his political influence. President Trump condemned the Tesla demonstrations, falsely labeling them illegal. He also called for extraordinarily harsh penalties for alleged arsonists at prior Tesla protests in other parts of the country, proposing measures far beyond typical legal precedents for property crimes. His comments ignited debate over the severity of the proposed punishments, as some activists directly accused him of using the response for political purposes.

The Movement Continues

Despite the attack, the protest continued as planned, with some demonstrators staying past the scheduled end time. The firsthand account continued:

“A few of us walked over out of concern or to offer witness statements, but the police asked most of us to step away while they handled the situation. I’m content knowing that the man was arrested and that our safety was taken seriously. The rest of the protest proceeded as planned, and some of us even stayed past when we were due to end because we were fired up from the events of the day. Overall, it was a great turnout, and I’m happy knowing that everyone from today was safe. It feels like we’re simultaneously showcasing our concerns while putting a legitimate dent in Elon Musk’s funds.”

As tensions rise, these protests show no signs of slowing down.

For upcoming demonstrations, visit the Tesla Protest Planning Website.

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