A Lebanon County man has been charged with terroristic threats and accused of compiling a hit list of 20 Democrats, many of whom are from the Philadelphia region.
According to state police, he wrote, “I can’t wait for the Memorial Day operation.”
His thread included featured guns, and he referred to local officials as “gun-grabbing communists.” The alleged assassination list included State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta from North Philadelphia. I’ll inform you to a certain extent, but not with much shock. Kenyatta told Action News that this isn’t the first time she’s received threats.
He claims the threats have no bearing on his governance.
According to state police, Berryhill has listed several other local Democrats, including congressional candidates Sharif Street and Chris Raab, as well as state representative Morgan Cephas.
A regular investigation by the state police detail assigned to State House Speaker Joanna McClinton revealed the alleged terroristic threats.
Berryhill was detained and charged last week. It’s not about being a Democrat, Republican, or independent; it’s about American belief that in America, Philadelphia, where it all began, you may say what you feel without fear of violence,” Kenyatta said.
According to court records, Berryhill also lambasted Republicans. In another piece, he stated that people should stop complaining and that the only option was war.
According to the charging documents, Berryhill has a history of involuntary commitment and is forbidden from carrying firearms. It is quite uncomfortable for anyone to work just for the benefit of their neighbors. “You didn’t sign up to be in the crossfire of someone who is insane and violent,” Kenyatta remarked from his North Philadelphia district offices.
Berryhill waived the preliminary hearing on Thursday. He will be arraigned next month.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro released the following statement about the arrest:
“Today, I spoke with Speaker McClinton and Leader Costa about the terroristic threats made against members of their caucuses in the State Legislature. I told them that while these threats of political violence seek to intimidate and silence, my administration will continue to do everything in our power to keep them safe and ensure their members can continue to make their voices heard as the people’s elected representatives.
We are experiencing a dangerous rise in threats of political violence across the Commonwealth and I appreciate the quick action of the Pennsylvania State Police and the Lebanon County District Attorney to charge and arrest the perpetrator. It is also clear a better process is necessary to notify elected officials directly when these threats are made. Lt. Colonel Bivens has spoken extensively with House and Senate leadership and their teams, and the Pennsylvania State Police have instituted a new process to notify members of the General Assembly immediately and directly of any and all threats of violence against them.
It is on all of us to combat hate speech and political violence, and I call on all of my fellow Pennsylvanians and fellow leaders to stand up against this dangerous rising tide of violence we are seeing across our country.”
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