Police say a State College man is behind bars after threatening to shoot former President Donald Trump ahead of his rally at Penn State University Saturday.
According to charging documents, 74-year-old Paul Gavenonis faces misdemeanor terroristic threats and disorderly conduct.
Officers with the Penn State University Police Department say they were called Friday by a staff member at the PSU Transportation Office.
They say Gavenonis was trying to buy a parking pass and while he was in the process, began talking about former President Trump’s planned rally at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Police say Gavenonis reportedly described climbing to the top of a tall building and said, “you can’t take a gun in or the students will see it.”
Police say witnesses told them Gavenonis then made a “racking gun motion” with his hands before stating “I hate Donald Trump. I’d like to shoot that guy.”
They say a staff member was concerned after just selling the man a parking pass, which could potentially put him in close proximity of the former President, so the staff member called police.
Police and United States Secret Service officials met with Gavenonis at the Pattee Library where they asked him about the concerning statements he made.
They say Gavenonis was laughing about “tomorrow, those guys” and “maybe he’ll do it then!”
Gavenonis allegedly went on to say “look at me, I’m not going to shoot anybody!”
Investigators say Gavenonis eventually admitted to “probably” making the threats and as he was being placed into the police cruiser, uttered “frankly I hope somebody would get him.”
During an interview with Secret Service, investigators say Gavenonis mentioned having a rifle in his home.
Gavenonis is now being held on the Centre County Prison. His bail has been denied.