Kansas man mapped rooftops near Trump speech site, threatened to shoot president: DOJ

Kansas authorities have taken a 24‑year‑old man into federal custody after he allegedly threatened to shoot President Donald Trump, just two days before the president was scheduled to appear in Wichita.

Jaden J. Read, a Clearwater resident, was arrested on Saturday and charged with making threats against the president. The arrest came shortly before Trump’s planned Monday visit to Wichita.

The investigation began on Oct. 15 when a tipster reported comments posted beneath a KAKE News article on Facebook about the president’s upcoming trip. In one comment, Read allegedly wrote, “Let’s shoot Trump honestly, where’s our shooter? I’m tired of living this money life.” He then posted another message in which he claimed to have ammunition and threatened to kill the president.

Additional threats were discovered under a separate KWCH 12 News article about the visit. There, Read allegedly wrote, “Can we shoot him in Kansas please I will myself.” A minute later, he added, “IK where your speech will be. Already mapped out roofs around. Finna get kirked since yall couldn’t help him.”

Read was taken into custody in Clearwater and is being held pending a detention hearing. The U.S. Attorney’s office in Kansas announced the charge.

U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser stated, “Political violence and threats of political violence will not be tolerated. The first Amendment allows for robust disagreement but there are constraints. I caution people to stay within the bounds of constitutionally protected speech.”

Trump’s visit to Wichita was scheduled for Monday.