Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 26 December 2024

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters.

Texas man accused of threatening to slaughter Capital One execs who robbed him of ‘life he deserves.’

A customer at an impasse with Capital One over a disputed debt is facing a half-decade in federal prison after allegedly vowing to assassinate those executives he held responsible for having “ruined” his life. In a December 12 email, Houston, Texas resident Taylor Bullard told the bank’s collections agency that he had already paid the amount in question and that they were chasing him in error, according to an FBI affidavit unsealed upon his arrest eight days later.

In the email, Bullard wrote “Call me before I show up to one of their locations with a machete and gasoline. You have ruined my ability to buy a home. I’m 34 with a 100k+ job and it’s time I target the people and companies that have ruined my ability to live the life I deserve. I will be coming after your executive team personally.”

Analyst Comments:

There continues to be an alarming level of commentary, particularly online, that portrays an acceptance of targeting executives and VIPs since the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Religious leaders could equally fall into this category, with the potential for lone actors to conduct targeted violence based on real or perceived injustices.

Members are encouraged to review the FB-ISAO Weekly Report published on 12 December 2024 for a further review of personal protection best practices for high-profile individuals.

Bomb threat at Lakewood Church determined to be fake; no explosives found

A bomb threat was called into Lakewood Church on Tuesday evening, prompting an investigation by the Houston Police Department. The call was received at 6:42 p.m. with reports a man threatened to blow up the church with a device attached to Sarin Gas. Officers identified the man and connected him to a separate call earlier in the day.

• Man charged after threatening to release poisonous gas during Christmas Eve service at Lakewood (video)
• Bond set for man accused of threatening to release poisonous gas during Christmas Eve service at Lakewood Church

Analyst Comments:

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has compiled several resources for communities and faith leaders, including compendium of resources for securing mass gatherings and public spaces. Training resources, services, and tools on bomb threats can be found on CISA’s bomb resource website.

Additional resources include:

• DHS Bomb Threat Checklist
• Bomb Threat Guide
• Critical Resources for Handling Bomb Threats Video
• What to Do: Bomb Threat Video