READING, Pa. – A Lebanon County man is under arrest after authorities say he threatened up to 20 Pennsylvania lawmakers. Authorities say he posted a “hit list” and referenced a “Memorial Day Operation.”
Berks County’s state Sen. Judy Schwank’s colleagues made a disturbing discovery.
“Of a letter, an email and a list of 20 state representatives and senators that were threatened. My name was on the list,” said Schwank, a Democrat who represents the 11th District in Berks County.
State police arrested and charged 42-year-old Adam Berryhill of Lebanon County with making terroristic threats. Authorities say Berryhill allegedly posted “politically violent” posts on social media in late April and made statements about “shooting,” Schwank said.
Some lawmakers question why authorities didn’t contact them earlier.
“I’m deeply disappointed that I didn’t learn about this before, and it puts all of us at risk to not know that a threat of this type of death threat was out there on social media,” Schwank said.
All the lawmakers allegedly threatened are Democrats. In a statement, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, also a Democrat, responded:
“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.”
Some lawmakers have already seen the face of hate.
“Sadly, it’s not the first time that over-the-top language has been used against me, either on social media or in private messaging, but it is the first time that there was a direct threat of violence of that sort, and it’s concerning,” said state Sen. Steven Santarsiero, a Democrat who represents the 10th District, which includes parts of Bucks County.
As political violence escalates, so do concerns by those who serve.
“If the federal government continues to fail in its responsibility in that regard, then I think the states need to act, and there needs to be reasonable regulation,” Santarsiero said. “It’s not acceptable for these types of posts to be put on any of the social media platforms, and for that matter, for you know, kind of radical ideas to be disseminated that way.”
Berryhill’s arrest is made in less than a week from the Pennsylvania primaries.
“Going forward, something has to change. This is just not acceptable,” Schwank said. “I recognize I’m a public official, and that, yes, there are going to be people that aren’t happy with what I do, but I surely did not think that I signed up to receive threats of this type.”
Berryhill is expected to appear in court Thursday for a hearing.