The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched a probe to assist Capitol Police investigate threats aimed at Texas Senator Ted Cruz, that were posted on Twitter, during the partial shutdown of the federal government. The Republican senator had grabbed the spotlight as he had taken a firm stand to defund the Obamacare.
The threats were posted Wednesday, October 16, by a certain @ArmyVet54 on Twitter and has been identified as Troy Gilmore Jr. in real life.
"Take down Ted Cruz, at his home," was the initial tweet of Gilmore that even included the home address of the Canadian-born senator in Houston, Texas.
"Let's Find Ted Cruz, Texas address and show up his House, drag him out and B***h slap his A** in front of the country," stated Gilmore through another tweet.
"Ted Cruz, we want you a** go the f*** back in Canada, else you and ur family will pay. U got a f***ing big mouth," he added.
The Twitter account of @ArmyVet54 was taken down and cannot be accessed anymore as of writing. Reports stated that Gilmore created another Twitter account, @KingKong and referenced the tweets posted on his original account. The @ArmyVet54 account did not have any followers at the time when threats were posted, a good reason to believe that the messages were not a call to action, according to a report on The Hill.
According to an ABC News report, FBI officials have already interrogated the person who had posted the tweets and are on the look out for individuals that might take some action to harm the senator.
Gilmore's Linkedin profile identified him as a former chef in a prison who wants to have a Homeland Security and Security Global Management degree. The profile indicates that he is currently living in Orlando, Florida.
"My objective it too get my (BS) In Homeland Security and Security Global Management,to use the skills I have already through the different training I have had through the years.And combine them with the training I am trying to obtain now to make this world and my country a better and safe secure place for everyone especially my family and grand children who will still have to live in this world long after I and my generation are gone," Gilmore's online profile stated.
Online threats similar to what Gilmore tweeted have sent people behind bars in the past. In 2012, a man from North Carolina was jailed after posting a tweet threatening to kill President Barack Obama.
