Senator Ted Cruz found himself the target of jeers, boos, and a flying canned beverage as he joined a victory parade in honor of the World Series Champion Astros on Monday in Houston.
Thousands of people crowded the downtown sidewalks during the afternoon parade as Astros team members rode by on floats and buses, waving to their fans.
Cruz was riding in the back of a vehicle along the parade route and was met at times with boos from the crowd. At one point along the route, a man approached the vehicle and hurled a canned alcoholic beverage at the senator from Texas.
The Houston Police Department tweeted that the senator was fine and did not require medical attention after being struck by a can of beer in the chest and neck area. HPD also said Cruz was on a parade float when the assault happened.
A video of the incident shows Cruz attempting to deflect the canned beverage with his right hand as he stood in the bed of a military-type SUV that was moving slowly along the street.
The alleged suspect, identified as 33-year-old Joseph Halm Arciacono, was arrested without incident after a witness grabbed him and walked him over to police officers.
Arciacono faces one charge of aggravated assault.
His bond was set at $40,000. The court documents allege that Arciacono “used and exhibited a deadly weapon, namely an unopened metal beverage can,” to strike the senator.
The suspect told the arresting officers, “I know, I’m an idiot. I’m sorry,” according to the prosecutor.
Cruz later identified the ‘deadly weapon’ as a can of hard sparkling seltzer.
“As always, I’m thankful for the Houston Police and Capitol Police for their quick action,” Senator Cruz tweeted. “I’m also thankful that the clown who threw his White Claw had a noodle for an arm.”
The parade was held in celebration of the Astro’s Saturday night 4-1 victory in Game 6 of the MLB World Series, pushing Houston to their second World Series title in six years, as The Dallas Express reported.