Andrew Gillum volunteer charged with battery after FSU skirmish with Republicans

Call it the Ovaltine Outrage.

A self-described volunteer with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum‘s campaign has been criminally charged after throwing chocolate milk on a Republican campaigning on Florida State University’s campus.

Florida State University police arrested 19-year-old Shelby Shoup on Thursday, according to the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. She is charged with one count of misdemeanor battery, court records show.

Shoup. (Photo: Leon County Booking)

Shoup’s arrest is the only arrest from Florida State University police that is recorded in the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Thursday booking reports. She was released on her own recognizance shortly before noon, according to records.

A viral online video published Thursday shows Shoup arguing with a group of Republicans stationed at FSU’s campus.

An argument broke out between Shoup and the Republicans, leading Shoup at one point to douse one of the campaigners with chocolate milk. Shoup also is seen kicking a sign from the campaign of Ron DeSantis, the Republican candidate for Governor.

A LinkedIn profile associated with Shoup shows that she’s a current volunteer for Gillum, currently Mayor of Tallahassee.

The profile states Shoup has worked on the campaign for nearly two years, conducting “extensive donor research for Tallahassee, Florida, and national supporters,” as well as helping coordinate fundraisers, receptions and formal events.

Shoup also claims to have held informal Twitter question-and-answer sessions.

A spokesperson for the Gillum campaign did not return repeated requests for comment.

In a tweet this morning, FSU confirmed that the aggressor in the video — Shoup — had been arrested and charged with battery.

“FSU is a diverse community that values and respects each person,” the university tweeted. “FSU expects each member of the community to embrace the values of civility and ethical conduct and obey the law. Regarding Tuesday’s incident, the individual was identified, arrested and charged with battery.”

Upon the video’s popularization, top Republican surrogates for DeSantis weighed in: “This video shows the absolute lunacy of the left,” tweeted Panhandle Congressman Matt Gaetz, a 2003 FSU grad.

Hunter Pollack, an FSU student who became a popular Republican political activist after losing sister Meadow Pollack in the Parkland shooting, called Shoup’s actions a “vile attack.”

She was ordered to have “no contact (with anyone) on campus without permission” and specifically to “not return to Landis Green” pending a decision by FSU “about contact.”

Her unredacted arrest report is below. (Caution: Strong language.)

This story is developing; check back later. 

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A video of the incident can be viewed online here, or by clicking the image below.

Danny McAuliffe

Danny is a contributor at floridapolitics.com. He is a graduate of Fordham Law School and Florida State University, where he served as the editor of the FSView & Florida Flambeau. Reach him at [email protected].


11 comments

  • DSB

    November 2, 2018 at 2:50 pm

    So the Democrats throw chocolate milk and the Republicans send pipe bombs and murder innocent people in religious institutions… save your outrage, Matt and Hunter, and stop being such hypocritical punks.

    • Anthony Ciarrocchi

      November 2, 2018 at 3:01 pm

      No A lunatic sent bombs and a lunatic killed innocent people. Try not to relate them to the Republicans and I wont hold Steve Scalise shooter against Bernie. You point of view is toxic and ill informed..

      • Jeffrey Sutton

        November 2, 2018 at 3:07 pm

        She was in the wrong certainly. However to write a story and have a Republican surrogate act last there was a “vile attack” when some young girl who volunteered for a campaign threw a milks over the top. A clear contrast to a whacko who yes like this girl self identified with a party.

    • einNJ

      November 2, 2018 at 3:08 pm

      So, ricin filled letters to reps and shooting up a republican congressional baseball game, yeah, democrat’s hands aren’t dirty at all, it’s only the republicans,
      save your phony outrage and stop being such a hypocritical punk DSB,

    • John

      November 2, 2018 at 3:15 pm

      Throws chocolate, assault people at Free Speech and Prayer events, shoots and kills over 50 and wounding 100s at Freedom concert, assassination attempts at congressional baseball practice, assault a senator doing his lawn…..nice try🙄

    • Dave

      November 2, 2018 at 3:37 pm

      You have more in common with the shooter than the Republicans do: you both hate Trump.

    • EarlingGarrison

      November 2, 2018 at 4:18 pm

      She’s unhinged. Only low IQ, brain-washed NPCs would even attempt to support her and leftist scum.

    • Scott Armour

      November 2, 2018 at 4:19 pm

      Republicans,didnt send pipe bombs. The man charged with the crime is alleged to be a registered Republican voter. He is a convicted felon. He is not allowed to vote in Florida. Something is very fishy here!!!!!

  • David Ray

    November 2, 2018 at 3:12 pm

    Are you not noticing the swastika and Russian bar and sickle pins on her jacket, as she speaks of “enabling nazists”…whatever those are?

  • El

    November 2, 2018 at 3:20 pm

    So much for a “revolution” if you’re going to act like a hormonal teenager. Ignore those awful people, and instead of throwing milk around, focus on your community instead.

  • EarlingGarrison

    November 2, 2018 at 4:22 pm

    Dude, you’re not commenting on 4Chan…

Comments are closed.


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