FBI Identifies Mosque Threat Caller

A man who allegedly made telephone threats against two mosques in Pinellas County over the weekend has been identified and interviewed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“Our review of the matter disclosed no actual plan or plot to carry out the threats,” Special Agent Dave Couvertier told Patch. “The calls came from the same individual, who was identified and interviewed. We are not aware of any credible Paris-related threats to our local communities.”

The first call was made to the Islamic Society of St. Petersburg Friday following the attacks in Paris. The caller allegedly threatened to “firebomb” the mosque and shoot people. Similar threats were also left at the Islamic Society of Pinellas County in Pinellas Park.

“I don’t care if you’re extremists or not,” the caller was quoted by the Tampa Bay Times as saying. “I’m tired of your (expletive) Get out of my (expletive) country. I’m going to bomb your (expletive) location.”

Security was increased at the mosques.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations has declared the calls a hate crime and has asked for those charges to be filed against the caller. It is unclear at this time if charges will be filed against the man, whose name is not being released at this time.

CAIR’s executive director Nihad Awad has condemned the attacks in Paris. ISIS has claimed responsibility for those attacks, which took place at several sites and resulted in more than 120 people killed.

Meanwhile, law enforcement officials have announced tighter security around Tampa Bay events. The Tampa Police Department enhanced security for Sunday’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers game.

No further details on the mosque threats are available at this time.

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