Authorities arrested a Florida man for making violent threats targeting former President Donald Trump after his social media activity raised concerns.
Shannon Depararro Atkins, 46, of West Palm Beach, Florida, faces multiple charges after officers detained him during a traffic stop and found cocaine in his possession, the New York Post reported.
Atkins made headlines when authorities took him into custody for threatening Donald Trump. Police arrested him around 7:30 p.m. on a recent Friday night during a routine traffic stop, which led to the discovery of cocaine in his pocket.
On January 19, authorities received a tip about threatening social media posts from Atkins, which became more prevalent in the days leading up to Trump's second inauguration ceremony. His posts on platforms like Facebook included violent language, notably claiming that "America needs one good bullet to be saved."
The violent nature of these posts gained further attention when Atkins reported that Elon Musk's platform, X, had banned him after he expressed harmful intentions towards Trump. Atkins later elaborated over a meme, asking for "Bullets please. Please Jesus! Save America."
Shortly before his arrest, Atkins was actively posting, including a meme related to Trump and his late first wife, Ivanka. These actions led to significant concern and scrutiny from authorities. He admitted to posting the messages found to be troubling but claimed they were made in jest.
West Palm Beach Police Chief Tony Araujo addressed the gravity of the incident, stating unease over the nonchalant attitude towards the threats. Araujo emphasized the seriousness of such expressions in today's world, citing various incidents where threats had escalated to reality.
Folks, this is not a joke. Nothing of that sort is a joke. In today’s climate, you really can’t say things like this. We have incident after incident, example after example of when these threats become real. And we take these very seriously.
Background checks revealed that Atkins has been a registered Democrat voter since at least 2008. Additionally, he owns and operates a bakery called Big Mama’s House of Sweets in West Palm Beach, hinting at an established local presence.
Atkins currently faces state charges of drug possession and making threats of violence, the latter being classified as a second-degree felony. The case has drawn the attention of federal authorities, including the Secret Service, raising the potential for additional federal charges.
The arrest and potential charges gain additional weight considering the broader context, as there have been two previous assassination attempts against Trump, including an incident during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last July. This shared context emphasizes the gravity of Atkins' actions and why authorities are taking them seriously.
Atkins’ arrest underscores the rising tension surrounding public figures and the significant consequences that can come from threatening behavior, particularly when exacerbated by the platform social media provides.
The news of Atkins' arrest illuminates the polarizing climate in the U.S., highlighting the risks that can stem from incendiary social media rhetoric. This event stresses the necessity for vigilance by law enforcement when it comes to threats against public figures.
The situation remains fluid as authorities consider further legal actions against Atkins. The involvement of federal entities suggests that the case may develop beyond state-level charges, possibly leading to more severe repercussions.
