A 19-year-old Texas man has been arrested after making what officials describe as threatening comments on social media ahead of a vigil for Charlie Kirk, the slain co-founder of Turning Point USA, KSAT reports. The man, identified as Xaelyn Dunbar, is facing charges of making a terroristic threat in connection with his Facebook comments about the vigil held at the University of Texas at San Antonio on September 15.
Investigators were alerted to the comments which suggested an intent to disrupt the proceedings, Dunbar wrote as per KSAT, "This is a disgrace and I can tell you right now ima make sure this won’t be a good nor comforting vigil yall watch and see," and in response to another user's question he said, "you’ll see tmr I jus wouldn’t advise tryna stop a ford 250 Diesel truck. Show yall how much Charlie really means," according to the affidavit, in what was a clear overlook of the serious implications his words could harbor, given the context of a vigil made to honor a life lost to gun violence; this context seemingly lost in his now-admitted folly. The threats drew a rapid response from the authorities, including a collaborative effort between the San Antonio and Universal City police departments, after the concerning remarks were flagged by the Southwest Texas Fusion Center.
Upon his arrest and during an inquiry by law enforcement, Dunbar admitted to writing the comments, although he claimed his intention was not serious, stating he was "being dumb" and "clowning around," as Fox News reports. When pressed about the gravity of his actions and the resulting charges, Dunbar responded, "if that’s what it takes, I did what I did, and I can take the consequences," indicating a recognition of the potential fallout from his online behavior.
Details provided by an arrest affidavit reveal that the posts by Dunbar were made on the Facebook page of the San Antonio Young Republicans, who were promoting the event; heartfelt mentioned “I’m 19 years old, that doesn’t mean I won’t still act like a kid," suggesting a level of immaturity that may have played a role in his decision-making process even if such notions do little to combat the chilling effects of his words or the fear they may have instilled within the UTSA community and among those gathered to mourn, as per Fox News. Dunbar is currently being held in the Bexar County Jail, with bond set at $40,000.
