Support for LAist comes from
Local and national news, NPR, things to do, food recommendations and guides to Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire
Stay Connected
Listen

Share This

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Valley Man Arrested for Making Threats Against Kids on Facebook

handcuffs-shutterstock.jpg
Photo by Gunnar Pippel via Shutterstock
()

Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.

Authorities have arrested a 37-year-old Porter Ranch man after he made several bizarre posts on Facebook, including threats against kids.Mohammed Akbar Baraki was arrested after Homeland Security agents were tipped off to his Facebook page. His wall on the site "was filled with bizarre updates and troubling posts, including one that threatened the lives of school children," explains CBS2, adding:

On his wall, Baraki allegedly wrote: “Newtown is just the beginning of the attacks…more kids must be killed if anyone watched the bin Laden move will be shot at site…this is a final warning to all Americans.”

The Barakis live in the vicinity of an elementary school.

Baraki's father told the news station his son would not harm anyone, but he was "not normal."

Support for LAist comes from

“He doesn’t know how to use weapon, no weapons,” said the father.

The Los Angeles Police Department say Baraki had two pellet guns in his home, which were confiscated. The guns present problems for Baraki; having the guns is a violation of the terms of his probation from an unrelated drug charge.

As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.

Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.

We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.

No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.

Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.

Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

Chip in now to fund your local journalism
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
(
LAist
)

Trending on LAist