Police say a man charged with making a threat against a North Salt Lake charter school said he was only trying to bring attention to recent school shootings.
NORTH SALT LAKE — A North Salt Lake resident who said he was only trying to raise public awareness about school shootings is facing criminal charges for accusing him of posting a video on social media during which he seems to encourage shooters to join him, and then entering the school and allegedly assaulting an employee.
Police discovered after Howard was arrested that a video had been posted on Facebook in which Howard "states in an aggressive and angry manner that he is a transgender male who has been betrayed by his entire family and the state," the charges say. "Howard goes on to state that, 'The world will hear me if it kills me, because I will not win a legal battle in Utah as a trans-man and I know it.
"Howard was repeatedly told to leave and refused to do so. Howard threatened that, 'It would be a shame if there were an active shooter at the school.' This was of particular concern because Howard, as a former employee, had participated in and was aware of the school's active shooter drills and practices and this knowledge would place the school and children in heightened danger," according to the charges.
When questioned by police, Howard allegedly stated he "did not intend on influencing anyone," rather his "intent was to cause a peaceful protest at the school and bring awareness about school shootings."
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