Man arrested in plot to kidnap and murder Wichita, Kansas mayor over COVID-19 protections

Brandon Whipple, a former statehouse Democrat elected in Wichita, Kansas, was subject to a kidnapping and murder plot. In texts sent to another member of the Wichita city government, the suspect, Meredith Dowry, asked for Whipple's address and then made clear his intentions.

Wichita implemented policies aimed at protecting citizens from spread of COVID-19, but some members of the community have backed conspiracy theories instead of science.

Speaking to The Wichita Eagle:

The apparent motive was the suspect's opposition to "masks and tyranny," Whipple said.
"He said he was going to kidnap me and slash my throat and he needed my address because I needed to see the hangman — me and everyone who, something about tyranny," Whipple said.

The suspect remains in custody while the Wichita Police Department further investigates the matter.

In a multi-hour meeting, many members of the Wichita community spoke out against the mandate and backed conspiracies. The mandate held, however..

Wichita City Council Meeting July 3, 2020youtu.be