The FBI arrested a New Mexico man for allegedly threatening a mass shooting at a Pride parade in Texas.
The Justice Department announced charges against Michael Thompson, 44, of New Mexico, for interstate threatening communications based on social media comments about Lubbock Pride Fest.
A criminal complaint says Thompson made comments on the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Facebook page. On a post about the Pride event, Thompson writes, “soooooo whatcha saying is it’s Hunting Season” and “nothing that a little target practice can’t fix,” according to a federal affidavit filed by FBI Special Agent Ryan Phelan. Thompson also wrote in reply to another comment, “I don’t need help just more ammo!”
Authorities first learned of the threat through an anonymous tip to the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center. Phelan wrote that he investigated the internet protocol address used to post the comments and traced it back to Thompson’s address and an account associated with him.
Police arrested Thompson on June 28. During an interview with law enforcement, he admitted to making the comments before deleting them and called himself a “dumbass” who was “just running his mouth,” according to the affidavit. He indicated he had no intention of shooting anybody despite the threats.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and FBI Special Agent Justin Garris, who runs the FBI’s Albuquerque office, announced the charges. Police in Clovis, New Mexico, where Thompson lives, assisted in the investigation.
FBI Director Kash Patel says the investigation involved work between FBI agents in Texas as well.
“This weekend’s arrest out of Lubbock, Texas, is the best of this FBI and our law enforcement partners in action—yet again stopping a potentially deadly attack thanks to brilliant execution from our teams and partners,” Patel tells Fox News. “Our agents, intel teams, and state and local partners out of Texas acted decisively and stopped him before he could act.”
Thompson faces up to five years in prison if convicted. Records show Thompson is currently out on pretrial release.
The Lubbock Pride event that Thompson made his threats against appeared to go on without any further issues. The event took place on June 27, one day before Thompson’s arrest.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
