Social media threats aimed at a local church have rattled congregants in Edgewater, where police say they have identified a person of interest in the case. Authorities named Stephen Maiocchi on Friday and said the alarming messages appeared on social platforms, prompting an active investigation.
According to ClickOrlando, Edgewater police say Maiocchi is accused of posting the threatening messages online. The outlet reports that the brief police statement did not specify whether any charges had been filed or whether an arrest had been made.
Police response and how to report tips
The Edgewater Police Department says it is investigating the posts and has urged anyone with information to contact officers through official channels. Per the Edgewater Police Department, the non-emergency line is (386) 424-2000, and tips may be emailed to [email protected].
Guidance for houses of worship
Federal agencies advise congregations to treat online threats as serious security concerns and to tap into existing tools and funding to assess and strengthen on-site safety. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency offers a houses-of-worship security self-assessment, and FEMA's Nonprofit Security Grant Program can fund physical security and training projects for faith-based organizations.
What to watch next
Officials have released few public details so far, with ClickOrlando among the first outlets to publish the police statement. This story remains in early stages, and this article will be updated if Edgewater police release more information or if formal charges are filed.
