On January 25, 2016, about 10:30 a.m., Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office detectives received an anonymous tip about a Facebook post by a person identified as Thomas Hunter posted a short time earlier. The post showed a picture of Hunter and stated, “Anyone going on a mass killing spree with me?”
Hunter added that he already had ‘prey’ picked out along with some “fun filled ways” to bring about death and leave “some of the most entertaining crime scenes ever imagined.”
Detectives quickly began checking into Hunter’s background and discovered a possible home address in the 2800 block of Hecla Street, Humboldt. This property is about a block from an elementary school and within direct view of the playground. Another address for Hunter was recorded in Prescott Valley.
Detectives immediately notified the Prescott Valley Police Department to check the address in their jurisdiction and directed YCSO patrol deputies to notify schools in Humboldt, Mayer and Spring Valley of the threat. Due to the close proximity of Hunter’s home to the elementary school in Humboldt, deputies recommended a lock down and school administrators complied. Deputies provided exterior security around the school pending investigation by detectives.
Unable to locate Hunter in Prescott Valley, detectives went to the Hecla Street address and found Hunter at this location. When confronted, Hunter claimed the post was a “joke.” Hunter was eventually arrested on a charge of Incite/Induce to Promote Terror. He was booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center and remains in-custody on a $20,000 bond.
Sheriff Mascher, “Any threats to our schools or the community by whatever means, including social media, will not be taken lightly and we will seek prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.”