Pennsylvania state police say a Lebanon man is behind bars after he allegedly posted what they describe as a "hit list" naming 20 state elected officials and issuing violent threats on social media. The online posts, which authorities say showed a firearm and referenced a planned "Memorial Day operation," have put lawmakers and investigators on edge in the days leading up to the holiday.
According to NBC10 Philadelphia, state police identified the suspect as Adam G. Berryhill of Lebanon. Investigators say Berryhill used his X account to post threats that included images of a gun and the phrase "Memorial Day Operation," while listing 20 people by name. Police told the station that those individuals are all Democratic members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, and that Berryhill was taken into custody to face charges of making terroristic threats.
What the law says
Pennsylvania’s terroristic-threats law covers any communication that threatens violence, triggers the evacuation of a public place or creates a serious public inconvenience. Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 2706, a conviction can bring criminal penalties and may also require a defendant to pay back the costs of evacuations and emergency responses. Prosecutors will review Berryhill’s alleged posts along with any supporting evidence gathered by investigators before deciding how to formally charge the case and what penalties to pursue.
Who was named
NBC10 Philadelphia reports that the 20 people listed in the posts are Democratic lawmakers in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The group includes House Speaker Joanna McClinton and State Sen. Sharif Street, who also chairs the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. State police told the station that the case remains an active investigation.
Officials respond and a wider trend
Threats against public officials, especially when blasted out online, have been drawing increased attention from law enforcement and prosecutors in recent years. National reporting has highlighted a surge in violent messages aimed at lawmakers and election workers, and some prosecutors and security experts say digital threats are now treated with more urgency than in the past. Coverage of that broader trend appears in a CNN report republished by WRAL.
What happens next
Berryhill remains in custody, charged with making terroristic threats, and authorities have not yet released court dates or booking details. Anyone who believes they have information relevant to the case is asked to contact the Pennsylvania State Police, which handles statewide threat investigations and related inquiries.
The case is still developing, and additional records or filings, including any formal charging documents from prosecutors, are expected to shed more light on investigators’ next steps. This story will be updated as new information becomes available.
