Investigation Launched by Sheriff’s Office After Threat to Chair of Manatee County REC Following Kirk Column

Key Information:

• Location: Bradenton, Florida
• Incident: Threat against Mark Flanagan, chairman of the Manatee County Republican Executive Committee
• Context: Follow-up to a controversial opinion column about Charlie Kirk
• Status: Investigation ongoing, no arrests made
• Article Criticism: Column accused of inciting violence towards Kirk supporters

BRADENTON, Fla. – The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a threat made against Mark Flanagan, the chairman of the Manatee County Republican Executive Committee. This follows a contentious opinion piece regarding Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.

The threatening message received by Flanagan referred to Kirk’s assassination and ominously declared that “anyone who supports him deserves to meet the same end.” This alarming communication was reviewed by Florida’s Voice.

On Wednesday, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the receipt of this report and stated that they are actively looking into the matter. As of Thursday morning, no arrests have been made.

“We received a report today and are investigating this. At this time, no arrest has been made,” noted Sheriff’s office spokesperson Melissa Conway in an email statement.

The threat surfaced following the publication of a column by Bradenton Times editor Mitch Maley, titled “The Weaponization of Charlie Kirk,” which openly criticized Kirk. The piece, published shortly after Kirk’s death in a shooting incident, described The Charlie Kirk Show as propounding “pro-gun, anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim, anti-semitic, anti-LGBT, misogynistic, and racially bigoted rhetoric.” Maley also took aim at political figures, including President Donald Trump, for their reactions to Kirk’s tragic passing, while still acknowledging the gravity of the loss.

In reaction to Maley’s column, the Manatee County Republican Executive Committee released a statement denouncing the article as “hateful” and “divisive.” They accused the publication of utilizing inflammatory language that could potentially incite violence.

The Manatee REC firmly asserted that Maley’s allegations against Kirk were unfounded. “Make no mistake, The Bradenton Times is dancing on Charlie Kirk’s grave while his widow and her children grieve – and they would do the same to each and every one of us,” the committee declared.

“When President Trump calls out the vicious rhetoric of the radical left he is talking about The Bradenton Times,” they added.

Currently, the Sheriff’s Office has not disclosed the name of the individual under investigation, and no charges have been filed. The investigation continues.