An Arizona man has been arrested on terrorism charges after allegedly telling police he threatened to attack a gay bar because he was angry about last week’s killing of Charlie Kirk.
Treven Michael Gokey, 49, was taken into custody on Wednesday, Sept. 17, by Phoenix police who were responding to a welfare check. Authorities say he made threats over a crisis hotline that he would target a gay bar, according to AZ Family, FOX 10, and 13 News reports citing court documents.
Gokey allegedly told police he had chosen Cruisin’ 7th, a popular LGBTQ bar near his home, because he was “triggered by political events,” AZ Family reported.
He reportedly said he “was a martyr for Charlie Kirk,” claiming Kirk himself was a martyr, according to court documents cited by all three outlets.
Police also say Gokey made statements like “radical left violence breeds a far-right response” and that he wanted to “send a message” specifically to the far left, the outlets reported.
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He allegedly made transphobic and homophobic comments to police, with some suggesting he intended to harm members of the transgender community, 13 News reported.
Kirk was shot on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, Utah, on Sept. 10, while on a Turning Point USA rally tour.
Tyler Robinson was arrested on Sept. 12 in connection with the shooting. He has been charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice. Robinson could face the death penalty if convicted of the top charge.
Gokey has been charged with making a terrorist threat, according to authorities, the outlets reported.
He is also facing an additional charge of using a computer to threaten, AZ Family and 13 News reported, citing court documents. He is being held on $250,000 bond.
It is not yet clear if Gokey has entered a plea or hired an attorney to speak on his behalf.
