Man arrested over alleged plot to kill CNN staff: 'Fake news. I'm coming to gun you all down'
Suspect from Michigan accused of threatening to commit mass murder
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A man from Michigan has been arrested after allegedly threatening to shoot and kill CNN employees in Atlanta, Georgia, according to a report by WGCL-TV.
According to court documents obtained by WGCL-TV, the man made 22 calls to the news organisation about a week ago, telling an operator: “Fake news. I’m coming to gun you all down.”
On another call, he said, “I'm smarter than you. More powerful than you. I have more guns than you. More manpower. Your cast is about to get gunned down in a matter of hours.”
He continued: "I am coming to Georgia right now to go to the CNN headquarters to f---ing gun every single last one of you."
According to WGCL-TV reporter Jonathan Carlson, who obtained the court documents, investigators inside CNN were able to trace the number and help agents locate the suspect, who is from a suburb of Detroit.
“This is an example of how political rhetoric is becoming all too real in society these days,” said Mr Carlson.
Brian Stelter, senior media correspondent at CNN, tweeted in response to the news: “We take any threats to CNN employees or workplaces, around the world, extremely seriously. This one is no exception."
He continued: "We have been in touch with local and federal law enforcement throughout, and have taken all necessary measures to ensure the safety of our people."
Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked the media, branding organisations such as CNN and The New York Times “fake news”, which he describes as an “enemy of the American people”.
Both news outlets were among the winners of Mr Trump’s self-proclaimed “Fake News” awards announced last week.
It followed a year in which Mr Trump tweeted a doctored video of himself wrestling with a man whose head has been replaced by a CNN logo, and retweeted a meme showing the CNN logo and a bloodlike splatter on the bottom of his shoe.
CNN responded to the attacks by producing a 30-second advertisement poking fun at Mr Trump’s own relationship with facts and boycotting the White House press Christmas party in December.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments