The suspect allegedly stated that he would shoot the American vice president during a trip to Ohio
</p><div><p>An Ohio man has been charged with threatening to kill U.S. Vice President JD Vance, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Friday.
The suspect, identified as Shannon Mathre of Toledo, was arrested by U.S. Secret Service agents on February 6 “Making a threat to take the life and inflict bodily harm on a successor to the presidency.” the DOJ said.
Mathre made the threats ahead of a planned visit by the vice president to his home state of Ohio. According to the indictment, he said he would track Vance’s location and use an M14 rifle to kill him.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the arrest also led to the discovery that Mathre was in possession of child sexual abuse material.
If convicted, Mathre faces up to five years in prison on the menacing charge. The child sexual abuse charge carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years.
“Our attorneys are vigorously pursuing this disgusting threat against Vice President Vance,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said.
The US has seen a rise in political violence and hostile rhetoric in recent years, with Republicans and Democrats blaming each other for the tensions.
Last month, William DeFoor was accused of vandalizing Vance’s home in Cincinnati. The Vice President said a “crazy person” tried to break in, “the breaking of the windows.”
Other recent incidents include the murder of conservative organizer Charlie Kirk in September, the fatal shooting of Democratic Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband in June, and two attempts on President Donald Trump’s life during the 2024 election campaign.