Orange deputies arrest Florida man for Facebook threat to shoot Black Lives Matter protesters
Orange County deputies arrested a man from Dover on Saturday night for allegedly making an online threat to shoot Black Lives Matter protesters, authorities said.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said it received a tip that Alex Bancroft, 30, posted the threat on his Facebook page Friday. After others expressed skepticism in comments that he would follow through on the violent threat, Bancroft replied, “keep ur eyes on Fla news,” the agency said.
Investigators found another threat on Bancroft’s Facebook page with a photo of cards from the game, Cards Against Humanity. Authorities said Bancroft arranged the card answers to read, “That’s right. I killed African children. How you ask? An AR-15 assault rifle.”
A warrant was issued for Bancroft’s arrest in Hillsborough County but he left to visit a friend in Central Florida, the Sheriff’s Office said. He was arrested in Orlando around 11 p.m. by Orange County deputies.
Bancroft told investigators that he wouldn’t hurt anyone and he wrote the posts out of frustration.
He faces a felony charge of a written threat to kill or do bodily injury.
Online records show Bancroft is currently being held in Orange County Jail and will be transferred to Hillsborough County. His bond is listed at $7,500.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that it takes all online threat seriously.
“If you think you can hide behind a computer screen when threatening to hurt another person, you are absolutely wrong,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister.
lgarza@orlandosentinel.com
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