By Trend News Line 2024-06-29 16:46:01.
Daniel B. Pederson Arrested for Threatening Mass Shooting at Lake County Courthouse
A Chicago man, identified as Daniel B. Pederson, 42, has been taken into custody after allegedly making a chilling threat of a “military precision” mass shooting at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan. The incident unfolded when authorities were alerted that a man on Chicago’s Riverwalk had passed a note to a security guard working at a nearby restaurant on June 14.
Threatening Note and Arrest
The note, which was passed to the security guard, detailed plans for a mass shooting with military precision at the Lake County courthouse. Additionally, the note contained threatening remarks directed at a Lake County judge and a Chicago police officer who was assigned as a task force officer to the FBI. The specific mention of Courtroom 103, which belongs to Lake County Judge Michael Nerheim, raised serious concerns among law enforcement officials.
Investigation and Arrest Warrant
Following the discovery of the threatening note, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division launched a thorough investigation. On Thursday, Pederson was spotted by the same security guard who received the note, leading to his arrest. Subsequently, an arrest warrant was obtained for Pederson for one count of threatening a public official, a Class 3 felony.
Court Appearance and Additional Charges
Pederson was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he appeared for a First Appearance Court hearing on Saturday morning. However, the situation escalated when Pederson began swearing at Lake County Judge Stacey Seneczko, resulting in deputies promptly escorting him out of the courtroom and back to the jail. The state’s attorney’s office filed a petition to detain Pederson, and additional charges are being considered.
Previous Criminal History
In a disturbing revelation, it was disclosed that Pederson had a previous run-in with the law in 2014. At that time, he was arrested for making threatening statements towards a state agency, claiming he intended to harm individuals and target the Lake County Courthouse and Gurnee Police Department.
Legal Proceedings and Detention Hearing
During the court proceedings, Judge Seneczko ordered Pederson to be held until a detention hearing, which was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. As the case unfolds, it is anticipated that an out-of-county judge may be assigned to oversee the legal proceedings surrounding Pederson’s threatening actions.
In conclusion, the arrest of Daniel B. Pederson serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and swift action in response to potential threats to public safety. The swift response by law enforcement authorities in apprehending Pederson undoubtedly prevented a potential tragedy at the Lake County Courthouse..
Chicago man in custody after threatening mass shooting at Lake County Courthouse
Chicago man in custody after threatening military precision mass shooting at Lake County Courthouse.