The ad appeared in the “men seeking men” section of Craigslist San Diego on Tuesday. Someone who saw the ad took a screenshot of it and sent it to 10 News, KGTV, in that city. KGTV then sent the screenshot to the San Diego Police Department and the FBI. The ad has since been removed from Craigslist.
The ad showed a picture of a gun being fired and said “We need more Orlando’s (sic).” The Craigslist ad went on describe the gays in Orlando’s Pulse nightclub as “filth” that gave “decent gay men and women a bad name.” The advertiser then went on to describe the Orlando victims as “walking diseases and bug chasers” and thanked God for AIDS, 9-11 and now Orlando.
The post concluded by warning San Diego would be next.
San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman issued a statement saying the department is investigating the matter with other law enforcement agencies and said, as of yesterday, there were no credible threats to the San Diego area. The chief also told people if they see something, say something.
The investigation is being led by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. While a threat put in a Craigslist ad may be unique, threats of this nature are not. FBI Special Agent Darrell Foxworth told 10 News the FBI has received thousands of complaints since the Orlando killings on Sunday. Foxworth said the agency will use all legal means possible to apprehend the person who posted the threat on Craigslist.
Foxworth also said although they cannot just let incidents like this go, he agreed with Chief Zimmerman that there is no credible threat to San Diego at this time.
Despite the finding there is no credible threat, San Diego, like other jurisdictions, has increased police presence outside nightclubs and bars frequented by members of the LGBT community.
