Man Involved in Police Standoff Threatened Church, Referenced Pulse

MIAMI BEACH — Police said the man involved in a two-hour standoff in the 1600 block of Meridian Avenue on Wednesday threatened a local church with social media posts that referenced the Pulse nightclub shootings and pledged: "Orlando will look small to what is coming."

The man was identified as 34-year-old Joseph Jorczak, who lives in an apartment in the 1600 block of Meridian Avenue. He was taken into custody without incident following the standoff.

Police said that Jorczak posted multiple comments on social media on Nov. 17 and Nov. 29. where he "maliciously harasses, cyberstalks and threatens the Miami Beach Community Church" which had already obtained a protective order against him.

The church is located along the pedestrian walkway of tourist favorite Lincoln Road. Built in 1921, it is a South Beach landmark with its whitewashed exterior and ornate facade. It is also the oldest church in Miami Beach.

"At Miami Beach Community Church we model the teachings of Jesus Christ through an open-minded ministry of inclusiveness and compassion, committed to faithfulness, service to the community and life-long spiritual development," according to the church's website. "We live out our faith whether feeding the hungry and homeless or marching in the gay parade. We help build houses for the poor and help equip the homeless as they transform their lives. We are committed to social justice and believe that God is still-speaking."

Jorczak was taken for a psychiatric evaluation and charged with stalking and violating an injunction against stalking.

"Orlando will look small to what is coming to Miami Beach, specifically the Miami Beach Community Church," he posted. "The homosexuals at the Miami Beach Community Church taught me you cannot trust the LGBY (SIC) community. They are nasty people."

He was referencing the June attack by Omar Mateen, who walked into Orlando's Pulse nightclub and opened fire, killing 49 people and wounding 53 others before he was shot and killed.

Miami Beach police said that Jorczak claimed online that he found someone who would sell him an AR-15 rifle and gunpowder.

In addition, he posted a video on how to "make pure napalm in seconds," according to police, who noted that the man boasted: "One of those big boxes of matches can be turned into a bomb if you cut the heads off and stuff them in something once it ignites boom."

Police Spokesman Ernesto Rodriguez said that traffic was disrupted and people were asked to avoid the area during the standoff. The apartment building where Jorczak lives was also evacuated.

Photo courtesy of Miami Beach Police Department.