A Florida man was arrested on Friday for allegedly making violent threats against President Trump on social media, authorities said.
Shannon Depararro Atkins, 46, of West Palm Beach, was taken into custody during a traffic stop where police also reportedly found cocaine in his possession. The arrest followed an investigation prompted by a tip regarding Atkins’ alarming posts targeting the president.
Authorities said Atkins admitted to making the threatening posts, which spanned several days. One of the posts, dated January 19—the day before Trump’s second inauguration—allegedly read, “America needs one good bullet to be saved.”
Later that day, Atkins reportedly posted about being banned from Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly Twitter). “I’ve been banned from ‘X’ because I said I hope and pray someone kills him,” he wrote, referring to President Trump. “History is supposed to repeat itself. We haven’t had an assassination in years.”
Atkins’ alleged online activity didn’t stop there. He is accused of writing, “Bullets please. Please Jesus! Save America,” alongside a meme that labeled inauguration day as a “day of mourning.”

On Friday, he allegedly shared another meme depicting the president and his late ex-wife, Ivana Trump, accompanied by the caption, “I hope they get back together soon,” and a row of smiling emojis.

Police said Atkins was arrested without incident and charged with one count of making written or electronic threats to kill, do bodily harm, or carry out a mass shooting or act of terrorism—a second-degree felony. He also faces a separate charge of cocaine possession.
Records show Atkins has voted as a Democrat since at least 2008. He is also believed to own Big Mama’s House of Sweets, a bakery in West Palm Beach.

The arrest comes months after President Trump survived two assassination attempts. One notable incident occurred in July during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a bullet grazed Trump’s ear.
Atkins is currently being held at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Main Detention Center. Authorities have not disclosed whether additional charges will be filed or if he will face federal charges related to the threats.
This case highlights the ongoing risks faced by public officials and the growing concern over violent rhetoric on social media platforms. Threats against the president are taken seriously by law enforcement, with agencies working swiftly to investigate and address credible dangers.
Law enforcement officials are urging citizens to report any suspicious or threatening activity online, emphasizing that such threats are not only dangerous but also carry severe legal consequences.