A Daytona Beach man accused of posting on YouTube that he wanted to “murder as many people” as he could and sought to kill Jews has been arrested, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
Leo Arong Jr., 45, of Beville Road was arrested Thursday after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement notified local authorities of the threats, which were traced to Arong, Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Laura Williams said.
The threats were posted on YouTube during a PBS News Hour live video, according to a media release.
Williams released what Arong wrote. Here are some samples:
“I hate jews because I am an inbred LOSER.
“I don’t want Red Flag laws passed because the FBI might raid my residence and confiscate the weapons I will use to kill other Americans. Thank you”
“I hate myself. I am uglier than the El Paso shooter, and girls don’t like me, so I will murder as many people as I can. Thank you”
Sheriff’s detectives, FDLE agents and Daytona Beach police interviewed neighbors at Arong’s apartment complex and they told them they had not seen Arong in a couple of weeks, Williams said.
Arong was later located in his home and was interviewed about the electronic threats. He confirmed posting the comments, but said he didn’t mean what he wrote and that he was attempting to “spoof another user,” according to the Sheriff’s Office.
A search warrant was later executed at his home, which included Arong’s cellphone and laptop, Williams said. No guns were located at the suspect’s home.
Arong was charged with making written threats to kill or harm in a mass shooting or act of terrorism, a second-degree felony. He was transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail where he remains held without bail.
If convicted, Arong faces up to 15 years in prison.
Arong is a U.S. Army veteran. Detectives learned there may have been concerns for his well-being and indications that he was in need of veterans services, Williams said.
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