A Tallahassee man was arrested after admitting he set fire to a Florida Gators window flag on stranger’s vehicle because he’s a Hurricane fan.
According to court documents, on Sunday around 8:33 p.m. police responded to a call of a disturbance in progress. When they arrived, the victim told officers that the suspect, Iran Walters, had left the scene.
Police: Man says he burned Florida Gators flag because he's a Miami Hurricanes fan https://t.co/ZGacYp0Cdk pic.twitter.com/fv1B6gu9b8
— WPTV (@WPTV) November 8, 2018
The victim told officers that as she was walking to her car, she saw Walters randomly lighting her car on fire, so she screamed at him and he immediately ran off.
The victim called 911 and, while she was on the phone, Walters walked back on her property and attempted to talk to her. Police say that after the victim told Walters to stay away from her several times, he finally left and headed towards Springhill Road.
Police found burn marks and burnt plastic on the doors and windows of the victim’s Nissan Altima.
Documents say officers later found Walters at the intersection of Springhill Road and Spring Sax Road. When they approached him, he began spontaneously sharing his side of the story.
Documents say Walters set fire to the Gators’ flag, that was on the vehicle because he said he’s not a Gator, he’s a Hurricane, and doesn’t “give a d*** about the Gators.”
After speaking with Walter, officers searched him, and a small bag of marijuana was found in his pocket. Walters was transported to the Leon County Detention Facility where he faces multiple charges including second degree arson and possession of marijuana.
Of course he was high.
The Gators and Hurricanes were annual rivals from 1944 to 1987. The rivalry has been played intermittently since, with Miami winning the last meeting in 2013.
Both teams are scheduled to play again in the 2019 season opener in Orlando.