Florida man arrested for threatening to kill Trump online
- Shannon Depararra Atkins, 46, was arrested on January 20, 2025, after threats made online toward Donald Trump.
- Atkins admitted during police interrogation that he had made the threatening posts and was found in possession of cocaine.
- The case raises concerns about online threats against public figures and the legal consequences that follow.
In the United States, specifically in West Palm Beach, Florida, a man named Shannon Depararra Atkins, aged 46, was arrested on January 20, 2025, following alarming online activity directed at former President Donald Trump. This investigation originated after a tip was received by the FBI's National Threat Operations Center regarding threats made on Facebook. Authorities reported that Atkins had posted disturbing comments that referenced the assassinations of famous figures such as Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy, leading the authorities to take necessary actions to ensure public safety. The nature of the threats made by Atkins included statements that indicated a desire for violence against Trump. During the investigation, detectives scrutinized Atkins's online presence and noted posts where he lamented the absence of recent political assassinations, stating, "I've been banned from X because I said I hope and pray someone kills him." Additionally, the police highlighted phrases he used like "Bullets, please. Jesus! Save America" as indicators of his intent, leading to a deeper investigation into his background and mental state. West Palm Beach Police initiated a traffic stop on Atkins while he was driving a 2013 BMW, at which point officers discovered he was in possession of cocaine, resulting in a separate drug possession charge. Following this, Atkins admitted to making threatening posts about Trump during police interrogation. He was subsequently booked into the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Main Detention Center with charges that included making electronic threats to kill and drug possession. Authorities have stated that Atkins could face additional federal charges upon the conclusion of the investigation by the Secret Service. Due to the severity of the threats and Atkins's proximity to Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, the police emphasized the seriousness of this case, declaring that he has been ordered to have no contact with Trump or his family, and he has no access to weapons or the internet during legal proceedings. This situation sparked discussions about security measures in place to protect public figures and the importance of taking online threats seriously.