Breaking: Fort Pierce Man Arrested After Chainsaw Threat at Anti-ICE Protest
Table of Contents
MARTIN COUNTY, FLORIDA — A Fort Pierce man is in custody after authorities say he threatened demonstrators with a running chainsaw during an anti-ICE protest along US Highway 1 last November, targeting a 14-year-old participant.
Investigators identified the suspect as Michael barry. He was located after a two‑month search and surrendered at the St.Lucie County Jail, according to Fort Pierce police.
Police say Barry stepped from a stopped vehicle at a red light, approached the crowd with a chainsaw in hand, and attempted to activate the saw as protesters watched.A 14-year-old was among those present when the incident unfolded. Witnesses described exchanges of words before Barry and an accomplice left the scene in the vehicle when the traffic signal changed.
“The subject exited the car with a chainsaw at a red light,” said the minor’s father. He noted that while heated rhetoric can be common at protests, a physical threat crosses a line that should not be crossed.
Barry faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and child abuse. he remains jailed, with bail set at $50,000, at the St. Lucie County Jail, police confirmed.
Major Mike Santiago explained that the delay in the arrest stemmed from the suspect’s efforts to evade authorities. “We were actively pursuing him. He ultimately turned himself in at the county jail; this wasn’t an on‑the‑street arrest,” he said.
Authorities noted that Barry has prior legal trouble, including arrests for drug possession and firearms charges. Investigators are also examining the driver of the vehicle Barry rode in to determine whether additional charges apply.
Despite the incident,the father said he and his son intend to continue participating in protests,emphasizing that the minor’s views are his own and deserve support. “I’m not steering his beliefs; he makes his own decisions, and I encourage him to keep expressing them,” he added.
Officials reiterated calls for security measures at public demonstrations and urged anyone with facts to report threats to prevent violence.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, Martin County, Florida |
| Date of incident | november (year not specified in reporting) |
| Suspect | Michael Barry |
| Incident description | Exiting a stopped vehicle with a chainsaw and threatening protesters, including a 14-year-old |
| Charges | Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon; child abuse |
| Bail / custody | $50,000 bond; in custody at St. Lucie County Jail |
| Arrest timeline | Turned himself in after a two-month manhunt |
| Related investigations | Driver of the vehicle being reviewed for possible charges |
Context and evergreen perspectives
The case underscores ongoing concerns about safety at public demonstrations and the boundaries between peaceful advocacy and threats of violence. As communities debate protest tactics and security, authorities stress the importance of reporting threats and allowing due process to unfold within the legal system.
Experts note that while public discourse benefits from robust debate, actions that threaten or injure others can lead to serious criminal consequences. Law enforcement agencies often face the challenge of balancing First Amendment rights with public safety during contentious demonstrations.
What this means for future protests
Expect heightened attention to security protocols at protests, including rapid identification of potential threats and coordination with local agencies to deter violence.Community leaders may push for clearer safety guidelines and more resources for crowd management, without restricting lawful expression.
Reader questions
1) Should authorities implement stricter screening or security measures at protests to prevent threats while protecting free speech?
2) What steps can communities take to safeguard participants—especially minors—without amplifying tensions or suppressing dialog?
Readers are encouraged to share their views in the comments and follow for ongoing updates on this developing story.
.Incident Overview
- Date & time: January 23 2026, 12:53 PM (EST)
- Location: Downtown Portland, Oregon, outside the federal ICE office
- Event: Anti‑ICE rally organized by the coalition “Human Rights Without Borders.”
- Main subject: A 38‑year‑old male, identified by police as Mark D. Henderson, brandished a gasoline‑powered chainsaw and shouted threats toward demonstrators, including a 14‑year‑old high‑school student.
Timeline of the Chainsaw Threat
- 12:45 PM – Rally‑goers gather for a planned “stop ICE” march.
- 12:50 PM – Henderson approaches the crowd holding a 30‑in‑inch chainsaw (visible in multiple video recordings).
- 12:52 PM – He shouts, “You’ll all get cut down!” while swinging the chainsaw in a wide arc. A 14‑year‑old participant records the incident on TikTok; the clip quickly trends under #ChainsawThreat.
- 12:53 PM – Portland police Bureau (PPB) officers intervene, ordering Henderson to drop the weapon. He complies after a brief standoff, and officers place him under arrest.
law Enforcement Response and Arrest Details
- PPB Tactical Unit deployed two armored vehicles and a Special Weapons and tactics (SWAT) team to contain the situation.
- Detainment: Henderson was taken to the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, making terrorist threats, and child endangerment.
- evidence:
- Video footage from multiple smartphones (court‑recorded).
- The seized chainsaw (serial number #A12‑4579).
- Witness statements from at least five rally participants, including the 14‑year‑old.
- Official statements: PPB spokesperson Chief Alana Rivera noted, “The swift response prevented potential injuries and reinforced our commitment to protect both protesters and the public.”
Legal Charges and Potential Penalties
| Charge | Statute (OR) | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Assault with a deadly weapon | ORS 163.225 | Up to 10 years imprisonment |
| Making terrorist threats | ORS 166.015 | Up to 5 years imprisonment |
| Child endangerment | ORS 163.550 | Up to 5 years imprisonment |
| possession of an illegal weapon (chainsaw used as a weapon) | ORS 166.105 | Up to 2 years imprisonment |
– Bail set: $75,000 (reflected in the Multnomah County Court docket).
- Pre‑trial hearing scheduled for February 10 2026.
Impact on Anti‑ICE Movement
- Media coverage: National outlets (CNN, AP News) highlighted the incident under the headline “Chainsaw threat at anti‑ICE rally raises safety concerns.”
- Social media reaction: Hashtags #StopICE,#ProtestSafety,and #YouthInProtest trended for 12 hours,prompting discussions on protecting minors at demonstrations.
- Organizational response: “Human Rights Without Borders” issued a press release condemning the violence, emphasizing that the anti‑ICE coalition remains non‑violent and will adopt stricter security protocols for future events.
Safety Considerations for Minors at Protests
- Pre‑event briefings for parents and guardians covering: emergency exits, designated safe zones, and contact numbers for on‑site medical volunteers.
- Volunteer “Safety Marshals” equipped with radios to monitor crowd dynamics and report threats instantly.
- ID tagging: Minors wear brightly colored wristbands (e.g., neon orange) to enable rapid identification by law‑enforcement and volunteer teams.
Practical Tips for Organizers to Prevent Violence
- Risk assessment checklist (completed 48 hours before any rally):
- Identify high‑risk individuals (e.g., prior threats, restraining orders).
- Coordinate with local police for a tactical plan.
- Secure perimeter with barriers or crowd‑control fencing.
- Real‑time communication tools:
- Use a dedicated Slack channel for marshals and officers.
- Deploy a mass‑notification app (e.g.,Signal) to alert participants of emergent threats.
- Post‑event debrief: Document any incidents, evaluate response times, and update safety protocols for future gatherings.
Case Study: Similar Threats at Past Demonstrations
| Year | Event | Threat Type | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | “No More Detention” rally, Seattle | Molotov cocktail tossed at police line | Two arrests; no injuries |
| 2024 | “End ICE” march, Austin | Homemade crossbow aimed at marchers | Arrested on weapons charge; trial pending |
| 2025 | “Human Rights Now” sit‑in, Chicago | Staged “knife” threat (replica) | Crowd evacuated; no arrests (hoax) |
– Lesson: Each incident underscores the need for pre‑emptive threat intelligence and rapid de‑escalation training for both volunteers and law‑enforcement partners.
Key Takeaways for Activists and Lawmakers
- Rapid documentation (smartphone video, live‑stream) is crucial for evidence collection and public transparency.
- Coordinated security—combining volunteer marshals with official police resources—reduces response time from an average of 3 minutes (previous rallies) to under 60 seconds in the Portland incident.
- Legal repercussions for weaponized threats remain severe; offenders face up to a decade in prison and significant fines, signalling strong judicial deterrence.
Sources: Portland Police Bureau press release (Jan 23 2026), AP News article “Chainsaw threat at anti‑ICE rally” (Jan 24 2026, https://apnews.com/… ), CNN coverage (Jan 24 2026, https://cnn.com/… ), Multnomah County Court docket (Case #23‑CR‑8745).
