A Florida man’s social media posts threatening a mass shooting on the New York City subway landed him in jail, authorities said Friday.
Pinellas Park resident Robert Trout III, 19, posted a video of himself brandishing guns, and wrote: “If you’re from New York City, do not take the train on Thursday evening,” said a report on WFLA, a Tampa TV station.
According to a police report, the video depicted Trout “handling firearms in a reckless manner,” WFLA said.
The firearms allegedly included two Glock .40 caliber pistols. Trout also claimed on the video to have 60 rounds of ammunition, the TV report said.
An anonymous tipster flagged the video to Pinellas Park cops. Trout’s mother was among those who identified him as being the person in the video, the TV report said.
Trout remained jailed Friday on an “FBI courtesy hold” after police charged him with threatening a mass shooting and unlawful use of a communications device, according to Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office records.
MTA officials referred questions about the arrest to the New York Police Department and Florida law enforcement authorities, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
