Florida Man Arrested After Violent Outburst Over Pride Flag Inside Starbucks

A routine morning at a Starbucks in St. Petersburg, Florida, quickly escalated into chaos after a man was arrested for vandalizing a Pride flag displayed inside the café, according to local police.

The suspect, identified as Tucker Alden Kemp, 31, entered the Starbucks shortly after 9:16 a.m. and immediately confronted staff over a rainbow Pride flag hanging inside the store. Witnesses say Kemp demanded the flag be removed, calling it “offensive,” and insisted that it be replaced with an American flag instead.

When the store manager explained that the Pride flag was displayed in accordance with Starbucks’ corporate policy and would not be taken down, Kemp allegedly became aggressive. Authorities say he then threw his drink at the flag, violently tore it from the wall, damaging the wall in the process, and threw the flag into the trash.

Other customers inside the café witnessed the outburst, and police were called to the scene shortly afterward. Kemp was arrested and charged with first-degree misdemeanor criminal mischief, with officials estimating $210 in property damage.

He was taken to the Pinellas County Jail, where he spent approximately six hours before posting a $500 bond and being released.

The incident has sparked renewed discussion about the rise in politically and socially motivated vandalism across Florida and the country. In recent years, rainbow crosswalks, Pride displays, and LGBTQ+ symbols have increasingly become targets of vandalism, particularly in public spaces and businesses.

According to FBI hate crime data, anti-LGBTQ+ vandalism is now among the most frequently reported hate-related offenses in the United States. Advocacy groups warn that incidents like this contribute to a climate of fear and hostility, even when no physical injuries occur.

Starbucks has not publicly commented on the arrest but has previously stated its commitment to inclusivity and support for LGBTQ+ employees and customers. The Pride flag, the company says, represents its values of diversity and acceptance.

As the case moves forward, it remains another flashpoint in the broader national debate over free expression, corporate policies, and the increasing tension surrounding LGBTQ+ visibility in public spaces.