A 46-year-old man from Okeechobee, Florida, named Shannon Depararro Atkins, was arrested after allegedly making threatening posts about President Donald Trump on Facebook. Atkins is now facing a charge of written threats to kill, which stems from a series of disturbing comments he reportedly made in the days leading up to Trump’s inauguration in January 2025.
The case began when the FBI received a tip about Atkins’ posts and alerted the West Palm Beach Police Department. The police shared examples of some of the threatening comments allegedly made by Atkins. One post featured a meme that read, “Jan 20 is the Day of Mourning for the USA.” In the comment section, Atkins allegedly wrote, “Bullets please. Please Jesus! Save America.” In another post, Atkins shared a meme showing images of Presidents Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, and Donald Trump, alongside civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The meme suggested that all of these figures had “stood up to Democrats” and had been “shot.” Atkins allegedly commented on this post, saying, “I’ve been banned from ‘X,’ because I said I hope and pray someone kills him. History is supposed to repeat itself. We haven’t had an assassination in years.”
The New York Post also uncovered another disturbing post in which Atkins allegedly wrote, “America needs one good bullet to be saved.” These comments prompted authorities to take swift action, as threats against the president are treated with the utmost seriousness.
After being surveilled by local law enforcement, Atkins was pulled over in his BMW near his home at around 7:30 p.m. on January 26, 2025. During the stop, Atkins was reportedly found in possession of cocaine. When questioned by police, Atkins allegedly admitted to making the threatening posts but claimed he was only joking. However, law enforcement officials did not take his comments lightly. West Palm Beach Police Chief Tony Araujo emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “Folks, this is not a joke. Nothing of that sort is a joke. In today’s climate, you really can’t say things like this. We have incident after incident, example after example of when these threats become real. And we take these very seriously.”
Atkins’ social media posts and his subsequent arrest have drawn attention not only because of the nature of the threats but also due to his political affiliations. State voter records indicate that Atkins is a registered Democrat, and a photo obtained by the press showed him wearing a Harris/Walz T-shirt. These details have sparked further debate, as the political motivations behind such statements are often scrutinized in cases involving threats to public figures.
In addition to the criminal charge, the West Palm Beach Police Department has petitioned the court for a mental health protection order against Atkins. This order could potentially lead to further psychiatric evaluation and intervention, depending on the court’s decision. The Secret Service has also been notified about the case and will determine whether federal charges will be filed against Atkins.
As the investigation continues, Atkins is scheduled to appear in court on February 24, 2025. The case highlights the serious consequences of making threats against public officials, particularly the president, and serves as a reminder of the importance of taking such threats seriously in today’s volatile political climate. Law enforcement agencies are making it clear that comments like these will not be tolerated, and individuals who make such threats will face legal consequences, regardless of whether they claim to be joking.
