Man arrested for threatening to ‘shoot up’ gay bar after being ‘triggered’ by Charlie Kirk’s death
Treven Gokey is alleged to have made the threats against Crusin’ 7th (Google Maps)
Treven Gokey is alleged to have made the threats against Crusin' 7th (Google Maps)
A man has been arrested in Arizona on terrorism charges after he allegedly threatened to open fire at a gay bar near his home because he had been “triggered” by the death of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk.
Treven Michael Gokey, 49, was arrested by Phoenix police on Wednesday (17 September) after a crisis hotline alleged he had threatened to shoot up Cruisin’ 7th, a popular LGBTQ+ bar, after being “triggered by political events”.
According to court documents, quoted by AZ Family, Fox 10 and 13 News, Gokey told officers he was upset by Kirk’s death and “wanted to harm others” in response and to “send a message” that “radical left violence breeds a far-right response”.
“Transgenderism should be eradicated”
Gokey also allegedly told officers that he wanted to be “a martyr for Charlie Kirk”, and had a list of transphobic and homophobic comments, including saying “transgenderism should be eradicated”.
In response to Gokey’s arrest, a spokesperson for Phoenix Pride told AZ Family: “We are in constant contact with our civic and public safety partners and are always monitoring potential threats.
“Phoenix Pride and the Greater Phoenix LGBTQ+ and allied community will not be intimidated, silenced, suppressed or subdued.”
Gokey has been charged with making a terrorist threat and using a computer to threaten.
Kirk, known for his gun rights advocacy and anti-LGBTQ+ views, was shot in the neck during an open-air debate at Utah Valley University on 10 September. He died later in hospital.
Following a huge manhunt, Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested two days later and has been charged with several counts, including aggravated murder, and, if convicted, could face the death penalty.
