A Willard man who allegedly threatened to “shoot up” an unnamed school as well as a Springfield church has reportedly blamed his drinking problem for his threats.
He did not act on his threats.
Nathan John Elleson on April 27 was charged with making two terrorist threats, which are felonies, and with harassment, a misdemeanor, according to court records.
A KY3 news story states that Elleson lives in Willard. Online court records list his address as Arlington Heights, Illinois.
According to KY3, investigators say Elleson contacted the FBI’s National Threat Operation on April 27, stating he had a gun and wanted to “shoot up a school.”
Elleson later retracted the statement when contacted by a Greene County deputy, according to KY3.
According to the TV station, Elleson told investigators he had a drinking problem and that is why he made the threats.
Investigators say on April 27, Elleson emailed Life Church on West Republic Road in Springfield, according to KY3, which reported that the email said:
“I have plans to shoot up this church on Sunday.”
Investigators contacted Elleson’s parents, who said their son wrote to them. According to KY3, he said: “I’m going to do everything in my power to ruin your (expletive) reputation in your church, and then I’m going to deny it and say I was hacked.”
He was arrested April 30 and is being held in the Greene County jail without bond.