New Hampshire police arrested a 70-year-old poet accused of slapping a Turning Point Action volunteer outside a Laconia elementary school as voters cast ballots Tuesday.
The Laconia Police Department said officers took Stephen Redic into custody at about 8 a.m. Wednesday. He faces misdemeanor simple-assault and violation-level disorderly-conduct charges.
“We’re not familiar with him, meaning we’ve had no prior contacts,” Laconia Police Chief Matthew Canfield told News Outlet Wednesday.
A cellphone-video still captures an argument involving Stephen Redic, 70, whom police say slapped a Turning Point Action volunteer outside a New Hampshire elementary school Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (Courtesy of Asher Vesey)
According to a Laconia police news release, Redic approached the Turning Point tent while leaving and said he wanted “to read a poem about rich people.” The poem does not appear in the widely shared video, which shows the volunteer trying to debate Redic as the older man becomes increasingly confrontational.
In the footage, Redic shouts at the volunteer, raises his middle finger and then appears to slap him across the face before walking away.
Cellphone footage shows Stephen Redic arguing with a Turning Point Action volunteer moments before he allegedly struck the volunteer outside a New Hampshire elementary school Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (Courtesy of Asher Vesey)
“You sit there and dare to look me in the face and say I don’t know anything?” Redic says in the video, his voice becoming hoarse as he points a finger in the volunteer’s face.
“That’s what I know,” he continues before appearing to backhand the volunteer.
As he leaves, Redic can be heard saying, “f— that s—.” People off camera then discuss contacting police.
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Several bystanders reacted with audible surprise.
Turning Point identified the volunteer as an 18-year-old.
Stephen Redic is shown in a booking photograph released by the Laconia Police Department on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. He was charged with misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct after a viral video appeared to show him slapping a Turning Point Action member. (Laconia Police Department)
Redic released a poetry collection titled “Tying My Shoes” in 2023. The book includes his claim that he met every U.S. president beginning with Dwight D. Eisenhower.
His arraignment is scheduled for Dec. 10.
It was unclear Wednesday afternoon whether Redic had hired an attorney. He did not immediately respond to an effort seeking comment.
The confrontation occurred 14 months after Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA and Turning Point Action, was assassinated at Utah Valley University beneath a similar tent.
The late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk became known for confronting ideological opponents during his “Prove Me Wrong” events. (USA Today Network via Reuters Connect)
Tyler Robinson, who is accused of killing Kirk, is scheduled to appear in court Monday for a hearing that could result in a trial date. Robinson has pleaded not guilty.
