Ohio man who said AOC 'should be shot' has been arrested on felony gun charges, interstate threats

Timothy James Ireland Jr. posted on Facebook that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ‘should be shot’ and said he would face no repercussions from the public backlash because, “Can’t fire me, my employer would load the gun for me.” The post made local news and the 41-year-old Ohio man found himself under investigation by the Capitol Hill Police, which eventually resulted in his arrest.

From Roll Call:

When Ireland was asked by Capitol Police Special Agent Lawrence Anyaso about the statement he made on Facebook, he said he was very proud of it, according to an affidavit supporting the criminal complaint. Ireland also said in that telephone interview that he always carries concealed guns, has guns for hunting and everyone knows he has guns, according to the affidavit.

Police searched his home and found ammunition. Ireland is not legally allowed to own guns because of his criminal record.

An FBI criminal history check found that Ireland has two outstanding warrants. One is a felony failure to appear in Sarasota County, Florida, and the second is a misdemeanor failure to appear bench warrant related to a marijuana possession charge in Cook County, Georgia.

Ireland was also convicted in 1996 on four felony counts of dealing stolen property in Sarasota County, Florida. He was arrested on the warrant outstanding in Florida.

He has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, being a fugitive in possession of a firearm, and making interstate threats.