Man Arrested for Threatening Mass Shooting at CNN Headquarters Over 'Fake News'

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A Michigan man was arrested for threatening to kill employees at CNN’s Atlanta headquarters in a series of 22 menacing calls, according to federal court documents first reported Monday night.

According to the documents, Brandon Griesemer, 19, made the calls on Jan. 9 and 10. Four of the calls—which were recorded—contained threats of violence. In the first of the threatening calls, he allegedly said: “Fake news. I’m coming to gun you all down,” along with a racial slur about black people.

In another call reported by CBS’ Atlanta affiliate, Griesemer is recorded saying, “I’m smarter than you. More powerful than you. I have more guns than you. More manpower. Your cast is about to get gunned down in a matter of hours.”

“I am coming to Georgia right now to go to the CNN headquarters to fucking gun every single last one of you,” he continued.

Authorities connected Griesemer to the CNN calls based on an earlier threatening call he made to an Ann Arbor mosque, where he made derogatory remarks about Muslims. Police used an online database to trace the line to Griesemer’s father, who owned the phone. Investigators learned of a second wireless number also associated with the account and when they called the number, the man on the other end identified himself as Brandon, according to the affidavit.

He was charged on Friday with transmitting interstate communications with the intent to extort and threat to injure and was released the same day on a $10,000 bond, CNN reported.

CNN issued this statement in response:

WHAT ELSE?

• Donald Trump signed a bill Monday night to end the government shutdown, buying America a mere 16 days until the government runs out of money again. It’s like we could do this forever and ever!
• House Republicans leaders are already hinting that they’re not going to keep Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s promise to Senate Democrats that they would take up a legislative DACA fix by Feb. 8, with House Majority Whip Steve Scalise telling Playbook: “March is really the timeline…the House wasn’t part of that deal.”
• Politico’s latest Off the Record podcast featured an interview with Family Research Council president Tony Perkins, and yielded this phenomenal quote: “Look, Christianity is not all about being a welcome mat which people can just stomp their feet on.”

WHAT FRESH HELL?

• This, via CNN’s morning newsletter:

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