Man Arrested for Making ‘Politically Violent’ Threats to Pa. Lawmakers Online, State Police Say
by Angela Couloumbis and Jaxon White of Spotlight PA
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HARRISBURG — Twenty Pennsylvania legislators were allegedly threatened online by a Lebanon County man who police say posted a “hit list” and referenced a “Memorial Day Operation,” law enforcement records show.
The man, 42-year-old Adam G. Berryhill, was arrested by Pennsylvania State Police officials last week and charged with making terroristic threats, a misdemeanor, according to an agency report on the incident. The report states that Berryhill allegedly posted “politically violent” posts on his X account in late April and made statements about “shooting.”
The State Police report lists 20 state lawmakers–all Democrats–from the House and Senate who were allegedly threatened. They include House Speaker Joanna McClinton, Sen. Sharif Street and Reps. Jordan Harris and Chris Rabb.
Several lawmakers told Spotlight PA they weren’t informed of the threats or the arrest until this week, even though law enforcement became aware of Berryhill last month. The apparent breakdown in communication, which angered some legislators, is occurring at a time of rising political violence and high-profile attempts to harm elected officials.
State Police included several of Berryhill’s alleged threatening posts in a criminal complaint filed against him on May 6 in Lebanon County Magisterial Court. One from April 7 named 18 lawmakers, calling them “communist infiltrators.”
“I’ll have write up an operation for each one and file Mandamus with the Commonwealth Court,” Berryhill’s alleged post read. “I’ll approach every legal avenue and when they all fail I start shootings.”
Throughout April, Berryhill allegedly posted about a “Memorial Day operation” and discussed “tactics to use against the city police.” Another post disparaged conservatives, arguing that individuals upset with their government should “learn the law” and know when to turn to violence.
“The solution I have,” he wrote, “is war.”
On April 22, Berryhill allegedly listed four Democrats on a hit list and called them “gun grabbing communists!”
The posts came from an account police said was created using an email they believe is tied to Berryhill. That account had previously posted an image of a right hand holding a firearm, which Berryhill is not allowed to possess due to a past involuntary commitment. Authorities first became aware of Berryhill after a State Police trooper assigned to provide security to McClinton learned of the threatening posts against the lawmaker.
At least two of the lawmakers named as victims in the case said they only found out about the threats on Tuesday.
State Sen. Katie Muth, a Democrat from Montgomery County, said she learned of the arrest from a colleague who had discovered a letter in the mail on Tuesday, stating that Berryhill is scheduled for a court hearing this week. (Crime victims are alerted to such proceedings.)
“I think it’s egregious,” said Muth, who quickly searched her office mail and also found a notice. “There is an utter disregard for our existence. … This is wild to me.”
Reached for comment, State Police spokesperson Logan Brouse said the legislature’s sergeant at arms is responsible for notifying lawmakers of threats. Brouse could not immediately say when or whether State Police had informed the sergeant of arms about the arrest.
In a later statement, Brouse said, “Immediately following this individual’s threats against elected officials, the Pennsylvania State Police acted swiftly to flag the threat for prosecutors. … The law enforcement process worked as it should to keep public officials safe, and the individual responsible for the threats is now behind bars.”
He continued, “At the time of the threat, PSP notified the law enforcement agencies responsible for the security of the elected officials involved. PSP takes threats against the lives of public officials seriously and will continue to work with members of the General Assembly to ensure the safety of public officials in Pennsylvania.”
Rep. Emily Kinkead (D., Allegheny) said she was first told about the threats on Tuesday in an email from House Democrats’ legal counsel sent to all the members named in the case. That email, she said, included the court document filed against Berryhill and a copy of his alleged post to X.
“State Police and our caucus are handling this the way they thought they needed to handle this,” Kinkead said, adding that she hasn’t been told about any heightened security measures for lawmakers in the wake of the threats.
Kinkead, who said she was frustrated about the growing number of cases of political violence, said she informed her family and staff once she found out about the threat against her.
Another lawmaker, Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D., Philadelphia), said he’s known about the threat “for some time,” though he wouldn’t elaborate.
“This is not the first time I’ve had to deal with a credible death threat,” Kenyatta said. “Unfortunately, in our body politic, there seems to be more and more instances of people feeling like it is OK to threaten, or in very tragic scenarios, inflict violence on people with whom they disagree.”
In a statement, state Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D., Allegheny) said he was “extremely disturbed and appalled” by the allegations.
“Additionally, there was a clear communication breakdown that failed to keep legislators briefed on threats to their safety and subsequent steps taken by law enforcement,” he said. “The safety of each and every Senator is a top priority, and I look forward to meeting with our security teams and the Pennsylvania State Police to personally ensure that all communications protocols are adhered to going forward.”
Last year, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro was targeted by a Harrisburg man who broke into the state-owned governor’s mansion near the state Capitol and set fire to multiple rooms while the governor and his family were asleep inside.
No one was harmed, but the assailant, Cody Balmer, told authorities that had he encountered Shapiro, he would have beaten him with a hammer. Balmer pleaded guilty last year to attempted murder and other charges.
Since then, Shapiro has discussed the emotional toll the attack has taken on him and his family, and has spoken forcefully against political violence.
Berryhill is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Thursday before a magistrate judge in Lebanon County. He has been in jail since his arrest last week, unable to post bail.
Online court records do not list an attorney, but the Lebanon County Public Defender’s Office said one of its lawyers, Shannon Pascal, is representing him. Pascal could not immediately be reached for comment.
Berryhill has had several previous run-ins with the law, including misdemeanor guilty pleas related to drug possession and receiving stolen property charges.
In 2016, he pleaded guilty to three counts of issuing terroristic threats and three counts of simple assault. Lebanon police said Berryhill had threatened to kill three women while breaking into the bedroom where they were hiding with an axe.
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