A Pennsylvania man who allegedly had a “hit listing” and threatened to shoot Democratic state legislators in on-line posts has been charged with making terroristic threats, courtroom information present.
Adam Berryhill, 42, of Lebanon, allegedly made “politically violent posts” on his X account that included a “hit listing,” in accordance with Pennsylvania State Police.
“The posts additionally included an image of a firearm and made point out of a ‘Memorial Day Operation,'” state police stated in an incident report.
Between April 7 and April 22, Berryhill allegedly posted “hit lists” and claimed to “‘begin capturing’ a number of elected officers” in posts on X, in accordance with the legal criticism.
The 20 victims within the case recognized by police within the report are all Democratic members of the Pennsylvania Normal Meeting, together with Home Speaker Joanna McClinton.
The investigation started on April 28, when a state trooper tasked with conducting common security and safety checks on McClinton “was alerted to a number of regarding social media posts” involving her and different state legislators made by an X account named “Pennsylvania Militia,” in accordance with the criticism.
Adam Berryhill arrives on the Lebanon County courthouse, Might 14, 2026.
WHTM
One submit on April 7 said, “I am going to method each authorized avenue and after they all fail I begin shootings,” after which listed the names of 18 elected officers, in accordance with the criticism.
5 days later, the account posted, “Cannot look ahead to the Memorial Day operation,” in accordance with the criticism.
“Oh you want posting hit lists? This is mine b——,” the account posted on April 22, itemizing 4 officers known as “gun grabbing communists,” in accordance with the criticism.
“Conservatives must cease b——- and whining on this platform. The answer I’ve is battle,” the account posted on April 24, in accordance with the criticism. “Study the regulation and know when it is your God given proper to kill your authorities.”
That submit additionally referenced Cody Balmer, who committed an arson attack at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s essential residence in Harrisburg final yr, in accordance with the criticism.
An earlier submit, on March 23, included what’s believed to be an unique {photograph} of a gun, “displaying [Berryhill’s] potential entry to a firearm as a method to hold out the threats,” the criticism said.
Investigators linked the X account to Berryhill by means of e-mail information and IP tackle knowledge, in accordance with the criticism. He was arrested on Might 6 and charged with terroristic threats, authorities stated.
“The statements made by Berryhill weren’t remoted or imprecise, however particular, focused, and directed towards identifiable public officers, together with Joanna McClinton and quite a few members of the Pennsylvania Normal Meeting,” the criticism said. “These communications included references to ‘hit lists,’ express threats of future shootings, and point out of a deliberate ‘Memorial Day operation,’ indicating premeditation and a possible timeline.”
Berryhill is being held on $250,000 bail. He waived his preliminary listening to, scheduled for Thursday, and his arraignment has been scheduled for June 11.
The Lebanon County Public Defender’s Workplace stated his legal professional shouldn’t be making any statements right now.
Pennsylvania State Capitol, in Harrisburg.
Zack Frank-Adobe Inventory
Gov. Shapiro stated he has spoken with McClinton and Senate Chief Jay Costa concerning the threats in opposition to members of the state legislature.
“I instructed them that whereas these threats of political violence search to intimidate and silence, my Administration will proceed to do every little thing in our energy to maintain them secure and guarantee their members can proceed to make their voices heard because the individuals’s elected representatives,” Shapiro stated in an announcement Wednesday.
The leaders of the state legislature condemned the threats.
“These threats are extraordinarily disturbing, not simply to the members recognized, however to all public figures who’re contending with an more and more hostile atmosphere,” the leaders — McClinton, Costa, Majority Chief Matt Bradford and Republican Chief Jesse Topper — stated in a joint assertion on Wednesday.
“We condemn any menace in opposition to any of our colleagues who’re faithfully serving their communities and pledge to help psychological well being care, intervention, and regulation enforcement funding that make our state safer,” the assertion stated.
The governor stated that Pennsylvania State Police have carried out a brand new course of to inform state legislators “instantly and straight of any and all threats of violence in opposition to them.”
