An Arkansas man is facing felony charges after authorities say he made alarming online threats about carrying out a mass shooting at a Walmart during an online gaming session.
According to investigators, 20-year-old Aaron Keith Bynum of Marion County, Arkansas, was arrested following an investigation involving the FBI and local law enforcement agencies. Officials allege that Bynum made threatening statements while participating in an online multiplayer video game, describing a scenario involving a mass shooting tied to a nationwide lockdown caused by a hantavirus outbreak.
The investigation began after another player reportedly became concerned by the comments and submitted a tip to the FBI’s National Threats Operations Center on May 9. Authorities said the reporting individual also provided investigators with a recording of the conversation and the username associated with the alleged threats.
Federal investigators later issued a subpoena to the gaming platform’s parent company, which allegedly identified Bynum as the owner of the account connected to the threatening statements.
Law enforcement officers subsequently executed a search warrant at Bynum’s residence in Oakland, Arkansas. During the search, authorities reportedly seized computers and additional electronic devices believed to be relevant to the investigation.
Officials stated that Bynum was taken into custody without incident and later booked into the Marion County Detention Center. He is currently facing charges of first-degree terroristic threatening and harassing communications.
Court records indicate his bond was set at $2,500.
Authorities emphasized that all threats of mass violence are treated seriously, regardless of whether they are made online, in gaming communities, or through social media platforms. The investigation remains ongoing.
All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
