An Arkansas man, Aaron Bynum, 20, has been arrested for allegedly threatening a mass shooting at his local Walmart if the country were to go into lockdown due to the hantavirus outbreak, authorities reported. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest on Friday, noting that Bynum faces charges of first-degree terroristic threatening and harassing communications.
Investigation and Arrest
Officials said the arrest followed a probe into online threats made by Bynum on May 9. The FBI’s National Threat Operations Center received a tip via an online video game, where another player alleged Bynum threatened to commit a mass shooting if lockdowns were imposed. The source provided Bynum’s gamer username and an in-game recording of the alleged threats.
Investigators subpoenaed the game’s parent company, identifying Bynum as the account owner. Following this, the FBI’s Fayetteville Field Office alerted local authorities, leading to a search warrant executed at Bynum’s home. The investigation team seized Bynum’s computer and accessories. He was detained without incident and held at the Marion County Detention Center on a $2,500 bond.
Hantavirus Outbreak
The threat of lockdown links to an ongoing hantavirus outbreak associated with the MV Hondius cruise ship, which has affected several passengers. By May 13, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified 11 cases related to the outbreak: eight confirmed, two probable, and one inconclusive. The outbreak has resulted in three deaths, though WHO considers the global spread risk low.
Canadian health authorities confirmed that out of four citizens returning from the Hondius, one tested positive for the virus. This brought the number of confirmed infections connected to the ship to 10, updating WHO’s earlier count.
“There is no comparison to the coronavirus pandemic as hantavirus is challenging to spread,” said Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that the Andes virus strain from the Hondius outbreak is the only hantavirus known to transmit between people, though transmission is rare and typically occurs with close, prolonged contact with a symptomatic person. Dr. Siegel added that hantavirus is not airborne in terms of respiratory droplets.