A Florida man arrested making violent threats against Trump

A Florida man arrested making violent threats against Trump

A Florida man named Shannon Depararro Atkins, 46, was arrested on January 24, 2025, for allegedly making violent threats against President Donald Trump on social media.

(Photo credit: Eva Marie UZCATEGUI / AFP (left) Facebook @Shannon Atkins (right)

A Florida man arrested making violent threats against Trump

The arrest occurred following a traffic stop near his home in West Palm Beach, which is located close to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. Atkins had been reported to authorities after a tip was sent to the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center regarding his threatening posts on Facebook.

Atkins reportedly made several alarming statements online, including one that suggested “America needs one good bullet to be saved” and another where he expressed a desire for someone to kill Trump, stating, “I’ve been banned from X because I said I hope and pray someone kills him. We haven’t had an assassination in years”.

During the investigation, police discovered that Atkins had a history of disturbing posts, which led to his eventual arrest. He admitted to making the posts but claimed he was just “joking” when questioned by authorities.

In addition to the threats against Trump, Atkins was found in possession of cocaine at the time of his arrest. He has been charged with making written or electronic threats to kill or cause bodily injury, which is classified as a second-degree felony, as well as drug possession.

Following his arrest, he was held without bond at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Main Detention Center. The U.S. Secret Service has been notified and is reviewing the situation to determine if federal charges will be pursued.

Police Chief Tony Araujo emphasized the seriousness of such threats in today’s climate, stating that they cannot be taken lightly and that they are treated with utmost seriousness due to recent incidents involving threats against public figures.