An 18-year-old black man is behind a Facebook post that promised to kill black people at an Alabama fair and used white supremacist imagery, police told AL.com.
What are the details?
The Facebook user indicated in the post that he and his friends “are coming to [the] Opelika Alabama fair to kill every NEGRO that we lay eye contact on so be prepared. WHITE POWER,” the outlet said, adding that the poster’s profile included the Confederate battle flag.
Opelika police said they launched an investigation Sept. 19 after learning about the “racially inflammatory” post that included a threat to “shoot attendees of a certain demographic at the upcoming Lee County Fair.”
The department added that it “takes threats like these very seriously” and that it would “provide additional officers for security to ensure the safety of all fair attendees.”
A day later, police said they had a suspect.
“Officials were able to trace the social media account to a residence in Lafayette, AL,” police said. “Through the investigation, 18-year-old Pharrell Smith was developed as a suspect.” Lafayette police arrested Smith on “unrelated charges” on Oct. 6, police said.
Opelika police added that once he’s released from the custody of Lafayette police, Smith would be extradited to Lee County and arrested on a terroristic threat charge.
Police added that those with information on the case can contact the Opelika Police Department Detective Division at 334-705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at 334-745-8665 — and anonymous tips can be submitted through the Opelika Police Mobile App.
‘Another day… another hoax!’
Among the comments under the police department’s Facebook post about the arrest, one reads, “Wow! Another day… another hoax! Let’s hope justice is served and he gets the full amount. Please do… persecutors and judges.”