On February 25, 2018, Maricopa County Threat Management Unit (TMU) Detectives, with language service assistance from the FBI, arrested Ismaiel Damian for threats regarding shooting everyone in attendance at the North Valley Romanian Pentecostal Church.
This investigation began by detectives on February 19th, 2018 when they received a Facebook post in Romanian. References were made to a Pentecostal church, although with no direct threats, there were concerning statements that led the detectives to look into his background.
A witness was able to translate a telephone conversation being held over speakerphone from Romanian into English. During this conversation, Mr. Damian indicated that he was planning on entering the church and shooting/killing many people with his machine gun.
Detectives monitored Mr. Damian until he was leaving for the church and took him into custody. Upon searching the vehicle, a .38 Special Taurus revolver was found inside the car.
Mr. Damian was taken into custody and booked into the 4th Avenue Jail for misdemeanor Use of an Electronic Communication to Terrify, Intimidate, Threaten or Harass.
Mr. Damian is currently in MCSO custody awaiting his next court appearance.