USPS worker arrested by FBI after alleged mass violence threat at Texas Pride event
A man was arrested after alleged threats of violence at a Pride event in Texas (Getty Images, stock)
A US Postal Service employee was arrested Sunday (28 June) after allegedly posting threats online targeting a Pride parade in Texas, according to the FBI.
Michael Thompson, from Clovis, New Mexico, is accused of threatening a mass shooting at a Lubbock Pride event and was taken into custody after authorities received a tip on Saturday (27 June) about the posts.
Investigators alleged in a Monday (29 June) criminal complaint filed in the US District Court for the District of New Mexico that Thompson made and deleted several comments on a Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Facebook post about a Pride event. According to the complaint, the comments included: “Soooooo whatcha saying is it’s Hunting Season,” and: “Nothing that a little target practice can’t fix.”
According to the complaint, Thompson admitted to making and deleting the social media messages and identified himself as a USPS worker. As reported by ABC45, Thompson said he was “stupid” for writing the comments and told agents during his Sunday arrest that he was “just running his mouth” and did not intend to commit any acts of violence.
Authorities also reported recovering four firearms from his residence, despite Thompson being legally prohibited from owning weapons due to a prior felony domestic violence conviction. He now faces federal charges, including transmitting interstate threatening communications and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The LubbockPRIDE festival went ahead over the weekend without incident, with organisers later thanking attendees for a peaceful and successful celebration.
The case comes amid wider concerns about threats targeting LGBTQ+ Pride events across the US, including a separate arrest in Georgia earlier in June that linked to alleged online threats against a local Pride gathering, as well as a recent arrest in Puerto Rico after a man accused of repeatedly threatening mass violence against the LGBTQ+ community was arrested by the FBI after investigators allegedly found CSAM in his possession during their investigation.
Investigations in these New Mexico, Georgia, and Puerto Rico cases remain ongoing, and no attacks occurred.
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