Troy Man Threatens To Kill 4 Muslim Men Outside Library: Prosecutor

TROY, MI — A man is facing hate crime charges after prosecutors said he threatened four Muslim men in Troy last Saturday.

Peter Hamilton Northup, 79, of Troy, was charged with four counts of committing an aggravated hate crime. Each count carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

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He was placed in jail with a $500,000 bond. His next court date is scheduled for Sept. 24.

Prosecutors said the four men were offering to discuss the Quran and Islam with the public outside the Troy Library.

That's where prosecutors said Northup approached the men and told them that he hates Muslims. He then threatened to shoot them while carrying a loaded gun, prosecutors said.

Officers arrived and arrested Northup, who they said has dementia. They also said he has a history of previous welfare checks related to a decline in his mental health.

Investigators said Northup is a concealed pistol license holder and has 22 firearms registered in his name.

Police filed an Extreme Risk Protection Order petition and seized 19 of Northup's firearms. At least three other registered guns remain unaccounted for.

"Islamophobia is never acceptable," Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said. "The victims in this case were threatened simply for exercising their First Amendment rights. There is never an excuse for hurting people because of who they are or what they believe."