Authorities last weekend announced they had foiled three potential mass shootings after arresting three men in different states who expressed interest in or threatened to carry them out.
All three cases were brought to authorities’ attention thanks to tips from the public.
Here’s what we know about them.
There could have been three more mass shootings if these men weren’t stopped, authorities say. One of the men was 22-year-old Connecticut resident and CCSU student Brandon Wagshol. https://t.co/yLL5QwYjRW pic.twitter.com/BwMayPEUxC
— FOX61 (@FOX61News) August 19, 2019
James Reardon, Jr.
A man accused of making what they believe was a threat to a Jewish center in Ohio on Instagram has been arrested on telecommunications harassment and aggravated menacing charges.
New Middletown police say they arrested 20-year-old James Reardon, Jr., at his home Saturday, Aug. 17, in the Mahoning County village. WKBN-TV reports Police Chief Vincent D’Egidio said Reardon allegedly posted a video last month of a man shooting a semi-automatic rifle with the caption: “Police identified the Youngstown Jewish Family Community shooter as local white nationalist Seamus O’Rearedon.”
Police said rounds of ammunition, semi-automatic weapons, and anti-Semitic information were found at his house. https://t.co/gVysXy4yqa
— KRIS 6 News (@KRIS6News) August 19, 2019
The post tagged the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown. Authorities say the Instagram account was Reardon’s.
Police said rounds of ammunition, semi-automatic weapons and anti-Semitic information were found at his house.
It couldn’t be determined whether Reardon has an attorney.
Andy Lipkin, Youngstown Area Jewish Federation’s executive vice president, said they were aware of the incident and were working with police.
“I want to stress that we know of no other threat to the Jewish Community or to any of our agencies at this point it time,” he said in a statement posted on the organization’s website . “Nonetheless, I have directed that we maintain the additional level of security for the near future.”
Tristan Scott Wix
A Florida man has been arrested and accused of threatening a mass shooting in text messages.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office says 25-year-old Tristan Scott Wix of Daytona Beach sent several text messages stating he wanted to “break a world record for longest confirmed kill ever.” The office says that in another message, Wix texted he wanted to reach 100 victims and had decided on a location. It was unclear who Wix was texting or how deputies obtained the information.
A man in Florida is facing charges after the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office arrested him Friday for threatening to commit a mass shooting in a series of text messages.https://t.co/x0U0Js0OZV pic.twitter.com/h5SS4fJE3n
— 2 Works for You (@KJRH2HD) August 19, 2019
Authorities say Wix was arrested Friday, Aug. 16, at a supermarket in Daytona Beach Shores on a charge of making written threats to kill. The sheriff’s news release says Wix told detectives he didn’t own firearms but was fascinated with mass shootings.
Body camera video of @DBShoresPS arresting Tristan Wix, 25, Daytona Beach, yesterday afternoon. He’s charged with threatening a mass shooting. Details at https://t.co/tozwPSc9r6 pic.twitter.com/opkun8HY3B
— Volusia Sheriff (@VolusiaSheriff) August 17, 2019
Jail records didn’t list an attorney for Wix.
Brandon Wagshol
Authorities say they’ve arrested a Connecticut man interested in committing a mass shooting and seized weapons and ammunition from his home.
Norwalk and FBI officials say 22-year-old Brandon Wagshol was charged Thursday, Aug. 15, with illegal possession of large capacity ammunition magazines. Police say they received a tip that Wagshol was trying to buy large-capacity rifle magazines from out of state.
Officials allege Wagshol was attempting to build a rifle with parts bought online. They say a Facebook posting showed his interest in committing a mass shooting.
Authorities say they seized firearms, body armor and other items from Wagshol’s home. They say the firearms are registered to his father.
Wagshol was held on $250,000 bail. It wasn’t immediately clear if he has a lawyer who could respond to the allegations.
The CNN Wire contributed to this article.
