Andre Carson’s name was written on a threatening note by a Trump supporter, who brought guns and explosives to the protest, at Capitol Hill.
Lonnie Coffman, 70, was arrested on the 6th of January, 2020, on 17 different charges after police found guns and a collection of explosive devices in his truck.
The Indianapolis Daily Star reported on Tuesday that among the evidence filed in court proceedings was a handwritten message labeling conservative and right-wing figures as “good guys” and a Democrat-appointed judge as a “bad guy”. The note did not place Carson in either of the camps but stated he was one of only a few Muslim members of Congress.
“The handwritten messages raise grave concerns about his intentions, and suggest that these weapons were intended to be used in an effort to violently attack our elected representatives,” US Attorney Michael Sherwin wrote in the filing, according to the newspaper.
The Indiana Democrat said he learned of the letter through press reports, adding it was “especially disappointing” law enforcement did not notify him he was “targeted and at risk from the indicted terrorist and his co-conspirators.”
He further adds that the threats were not idle but planned and were organized to take the lives of his and his colleagues and to destroy the US government in the process.
“Sadly, as a Black man and Muslim fighting for equality, I have often been the target of death threats by domestic terrorists.No American should ever be targeted for violence or death because they are Black, or Muslim, or because of their race or creed”, Carson said as he called on authorities, to conduct a detailed and thorough investigation
A Democrat of Indiana, Carson was elected to the House of Representatives in 2008. He became the second Muslim to join the national legislative body, following Keith Ellison of Minnesota, who now serves as attorney general for the state.
Members of Congress are still reeling from the attack that took place at Capitol Hill where hundreds of supporters of US President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol building. Additional threats have been given which security officials have briefed lawmakers ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.
One of these threats includes a protest of “4,000 armed ‘patriots’” who plan to surround the Capitol and prevent any Democrat from going in.
