Rally-goers and presidential security officials in Daytona Beach faced strict security measures before President Donald Trump’s Friday campaign event, while a local woman accused of making an online threat was held without bond pending trial.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the US Secret Service contacted the Volusia sheriff’s office about the written threat. The sheriff’s Domestic Security Unit and the Secret Service then went to Allison Albro’s home.
On Thursday night, Albro, 21, posted a selfie of herself wearing clown makeup and wrote: ‘Going to the Trump rally in my city tmr so I can shoot him with my glock! Wish me luck, guys!’
Albro posted from Daytona Beach, Florida, in Volusia County, where Trump was scheduled to speak on Friday evening.
Albro said her mother called her about the post, and that she took it down. When law enforcement arrived at her Daytona home, she was reportedly crying and said she knew why they were there.
She told investigators that the post was a joke, that she had no access to a Glock or other weapons, and that she would never hurt anyone. Albro also said she did not own a Glock, did not like guns and did not like Trump, though she said she was not going to shoot anyone.
Officers searched the home and found no guns or other weapons. Albro was arrested on charges of making written threats to kill and unlawful use of a communications device.
Prosecutors asked for Albro to remain in jail pending trial, and a judge ordered that she be held without bond. She remained in Volusia county jail without bond until her next hearing.
Trump was set to hold the midterm campaign rally at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach at 7 p.m. on Friday, in support of Republican candidates including Rep. Bryon Donalds, Sen. Ashley Moody and Rep. Randy Fine.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, who announced Albro’s arrest, said: ‘I would strongly advise anyone else thinking of posting a “joke” along these lines to think twice.’
Chitwood also said: ‘VSO continues to work hand in hand with the Secret Service, FBI and all our law enforcement partners to ensure this presidential visit to Daytona Beach is a safe event for all who attend, and for our whole community.’
Chitwood’s announcement of the arrest was shared roughly 20,000 times in its first 24 hours.
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