WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — West Palm Beach Police Department held a conference with the media to announce an arrest they made in connection to online threats made against President Donald Trump.
▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS
The suspect was announced as Shannon Atkins, a 46-year-old man out of West Palm Beach.
Police say that on January 19, a tip was given to the FBI National Threat Operations Center about violent threats toward the president posted on Facebook.
Read: Helmets exclusively sold on Amazon recalled due to risk of head injury
Atkins posted multiple alarming posts about wishing death upon the current President, going as far as to write, “I’ve been banned from X because I said I hope and pray that someone kills him. We haven’t had an assassination in years”.
The suspect was stopped near his home and was subsequently arrested, and cocaine was found on him in his pocket.
Later, he would admit that he was joking about the threats against the president.
However, the WPBPD has sent all necessary info to the Secret Service, where they can decide whether or not to pursue federal charges.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2025 Cox Media Group
