Crime

‘Could Have Been Another Aurora’: Md. Suspect Going by ‘Joker’ Arrested for Shooting Threats

Maryland Suspect Arrested for Workplace Shooting Plot: Authorities Allude to Incident as Aurora Copycat

Weapons taken from Neil Prescott's Maryland home. WJLA reported that the Prescott had a permit for collecting guns. (Photo: Jim Joslyn via WJLA)

WASHINGTON (TheBlaze/AP) — Police have arrested a Maryland man calling himself “a joker” who allegedly threatened to shoot up his workplace. Details are emerging from this arrest, including that the man was in the process of being fired.

(Related: See coverage from TheBlaze on the Aurora, Colo., shooting at the ‘Dark Knight’ screening)

Police say 28-year-old Neil Prescott of Crofton, Md., was taken into custody Friday morning. Investigators said he was wearing a T-shirt that said “Guns don’t kill people. I do.” He was taken into custody for an emergency mental health evaluation and charges are pending.

An official with knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press that Prescot phoned in the threat to software and mailroom supplier Pitney Bowes near Washington, D.C. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is unfolding.

Watch officials discussing what happened (via NBC):

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

WJLA, the local ABC affiliate, has more details on the case:

According to officials, the man was facing termination from his job at Pitney Bowes, the document, mailing and shipping company.

“I am a joker and I’m gonna load my guns and blow everybody up,” he allegedly said, according to documents.

[...]

“We can’t measure what we prevented here,” Prince George’s County Police Chief Mark Magaw said. “We averted a significant…and violent episode.”

Investigators say a search of Prescott’s home turned up more than 20 guns, including assault rifles and handguns, and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

WJLA reports police saying threatening calls were made to employees, one of them saying he wanted to see his former supervisor’s brains ”splattered all over the sidewalk.”

Watch the WJLA report:

Police say they considered the threat significant especially since a gunman in Colorado killed 12 people in a shooting during the latest Batman movie. WJLA reports a law enforcement member saying the situation “could have been another Aurora.”

Comments (51)

  • coldnorth
    Posted on July 28, 2012 at 2:24am

    PG county, ugh. I tried to buy a glock when I lived there many years ago. The state slow leaked my background check. After 8 weeks and no response the dealer could have sold me the pistol, but didn’t want to “get on the wrong side of the police” I canceled my purchase and got my money back, later that year I moved to Virginia. Maryland – the “free” state. What a joke. Glad I don’t live there anymore.

    Report Post »  
  • coldnorth
    Posted on July 28, 2012 at 2:16am

    I noticed at least one of the AR’s on the right side of the pic is only an upper, not a complete rifle. I wonder how PG county counted the weapons.

    Report Post »  
  • RetiredAmericanNavyTaxpayer
    Posted on July 27, 2012 at 11:00pm

    Is it just me or is there something not “right” about this whole affair. As I see it there are 2 options:

    1) The guy is a gun enthusiast who, inspired by the Aurora shootings, was sent into a full-blown wacko state due to his impending firing.

    2) This is a contrived “false flag” event brought to you by those guys at 1600 pennsylvania Ave.

    Either scenerio has merits. The TV report stated that the suspect has a Federal permit to collect guns. The questions now are – was he making sufficient salary to afford all the guns and ammo reported? How long has he had the permit? Over how long a period were the guns/ammo purchased? Does he have any history of mental problems? Has he ever talked about commiting violent acts in the past?

    On the other hand the T-shirt inscription “Guns Don’t Kill People. I Do” just seems too blatantly ‘in-your-face’, like false evidence planted at the scene. Ditto the “Joker” reference and the call(s) to a co-worker with threats of what he wanted to do. Just blowing off steam? Trash-talking? Or laying out a red herring?

    Wonder if the suspect will be found mentally incompetent and institutionalized until the story is forgotten and then “vanished” to another part of the country with a new name etc.

    Further information is needed as the investigation continues.

    Report Post » RetiredAmericanNavyTaxpayer  
    • MCDAVE
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 11:16pm

      What fuels the speculation on the false flag theory is Fast And Furious…we have already seen the Obama administration participate in evil activities…He can not be trusted..we have every right to be suspicious.

      Report Post »  
  • Unix
    Posted on July 27, 2012 at 10:18pm

    And that my friends is the face of a progressive…this is no true conservative!

    Report Post » Unix  
  • colt1860
    Posted on July 27, 2012 at 9:59pm

    Something ain’t right. This IS Maryland, after all. Just this week, a federal Judge ruled that Maryland cannot enofrce an uncostitutional statute that required Citizens to show a substantiated reason (police reports, threats, etc.) for carrying a gun. On August 7, the Maryland State Police must process applications, and cannot deny an individual that can’t “prove” he needs to carry a gun. The Judge said the right’s existence is reason enough. In other words, far lefist, liberal Governor O’Malley just got slapped in the face, and told he must allow law abiding citizens to carry guns for the purpose of self defense! This story has possibly been exagerated to frighten the public. These liberals love deception, and to brainwash the masses.

    Report Post »  
  • MCDAVE
    Posted on July 27, 2012 at 6:57pm

    THIS is a must read article http://www.infowars.com/foreign-troops-to-confiscate-american-guns-under-un-treaty/

    Report Post »  
    • pwatkins
      Posted on July 28, 2012 at 1:11am

      http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=835EFB22-D4E1-ADD9-068213BE0712AA2C
      Speaking of mind control. Here is an interesting story about a monkey experiment and this monkey just happens to be named Aurora. Probably coincidental, but who knows with the crazy stuff going on these days. This study was being done in the same type of class Holmes was in. I agree just too much popping up concerning guns lately and we never know how much Hollywood could be involved with promoting progressive/communist agenda bc I know universities are. I have found so many progressive movements being thrown at young college students it is unreal.
      Check out the guy that shot Giffords and others in Arizona and you will see he is talking about mind control a lot…strange bc he had the same look that James Holmes does.

      Report Post »  
    • MCDAVE
      Posted on July 28, 2012 at 8:21am

      Obama plans to to once again go over congress http://www.snopes.com/politics/guns/untreaty.asp He does not care about congress or his oath of office to uphold the constitution

      Report Post »  
  • LibertyOrDeath12
    Posted on July 27, 2012 at 6:13pm

    two words — Mind Control – Mk Ultra .. Look it up

    Report Post »  
    • LetUsReason
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 6:54pm

      I’ve heard a bit about it. The government has done mind control operations and experiments for some time now. Remember that lame George Clooney movie about staring at goats? Yep…based on real tests to evaluate mind control tactics for the military. Whenever things are de-classified, it’s always 10-20 years after the fact. Makes you wonder what they’re working on as we speak…

      Report Post »  
  • nana1212
    Posted on July 27, 2012 at 5:30pm

    Maybe he should have turned the gun on himself…the sick SOB ! I swear, this world is going crazy!!

    Report Post »  
  • confederacyofdunces
    Posted on July 27, 2012 at 5:21pm

    How are the Police heroes? They arrested a moron who made a threat. We don’t know if he was a moron spouting **** or a real loon. If he didn‘t give off very loud signals they couldn’t do anything.

    Report Post »  
  • ThoreauHD
    Posted on July 27, 2012 at 5:20pm

    You know that it’s illegal to carry weapons in Maryland, anywhere, except the shooting range or gun smith. And even then they must be locked, ammo removed, and place in your trunk, and locked again.
    In fact, this is the reason why I left Maryland.

    I’m noticing a pattern here. Every place that doesn’t allow guns is the perfect place for serial killers. It just makes sense that liberals sociopaths breed serial killers. It’s who they are. Genocide is their religion. Government is their God.

    Report Post » ThoreauHD  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on July 27, 2012 at 4:35pm

    The guy was mad and under pressure when he found out he was going to get fired. He said things he should not have said. Saying that….he did not have guns on him and he may have had guns at his house but every one of them was legal. The police are painting themselves heros because a guy had a guns at his house. Guns at your house are not illegal. Arrest him for his threats perhaps…but not because he had guns at his house. The leftist want to make guns into ‘tobacco’……ban them from everywhere though both are legal.

    Report Post »  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 5:20pm

      No sir. If he gives out threats like that in times like this, he needs to be locked up.

      Report Post » Baddoggy  
  • somecallmeMC
    Posted on July 27, 2012 at 4:28pm

    I find it amazing as an owner of firearms, how this guy and an unemployed student can afford the amount of weapons and ammo they have. The stuff ain’t cheap.

    Report Post »  
    • stablepar
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 4:35pm

      should be tying him to the tea party anytime soon now

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 4:38pm

      @SOMECALLMEMC

      The Aurora murderer .. got his money from the U.S. government! You and me …

      http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-07-23/james-holmes-colorado-university-studies/56444742/1

      Time to BAN all STUDENT LOANS AND GRANTS!

      @STABLEPAR
      No doubt ABC is working on that right now!

      Report Post »  
    • somecallmeMC
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 4:55pm

      Thanks for the link CATB, it was eyeopening

      Report Post »  
    • thriceconcussed
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 5:15pm

      You know, CAT, some of us work full time, yet still can’t afford school. Not every person in college is a socialist, or a theatre shooter. I wasn’t lucky enough to have parents who could help with tuition, so I work hard and accept tuition assistance. Don’t prove the liberals correct by becoming the party that completely forsakes those who are impoverished, but work hard to better themselves.

      Report Post »  
    • SAMADI-SOUL-CRUSHER
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 9:02pm

      Guys buy stuff over time. Just like any other hobby! He could have been collecting since he was a kid!
      So far the only thing this guy is guilty of is making threats. Which he should be charged with and if
      convicted will probably be unable to own guns under existing laws!

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 9:18pm

      SAMADI-SOUL-CRUSHER

      You nailed it.

      Report Post »  
  • normbal
    Posted on July 27, 2012 at 4:24pm

    “cache,“ ”arsenal,“ ”thousands of rounds of ammunition.”

    These are the new Alinsky-approved buzzwords from the left designed to put [more] fear in the hearts of liberals.

    And he could have taken a five gallon can of gasoline and a pack of matched (easily obtainable without a license or background check or wait period), doused his workplace with it and set fire to dozens.

    It’s not the guns folks, it’s the crazies.

    Report Post » normbal  
    • NeoFan
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 5:32pm

      He had also recently purchased a “Full” tank of gas. Dozens of gallons of gas far beyond what was needed for him to go to work and back. This gas could have been used to do massive damage if used to start a fire in a forest.

      Report Post »  
  • apbt55
    Posted on July 27, 2012 at 4:24pm

    OOH Look another false flag created by the government to really gear people up for the UN small arms treaty.

    Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 4:41pm

      It really is ironic to see the current regme (Obama and crime inc.) talking about banning guns .. HELLO >> FAST AND FURIOUS …. We have NOT forgotten!

      Report Post »  
    • riseandshine
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 5:11pm

      @APBT……I wouldn’t doubt it a bit.

      Report Post » riseandshine  
    • MCDAVE
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 5:18pm

      Obama takes his lessons from Hitler,,,, false flag

      Report Post »  
  • THX-1138
    Posted on July 27, 2012 at 4:23pm

    Well, isn’t it obvious; we must either outlaw guns or insanity.

    Right?

    wtfe…

    Report Post » THX-1138  
    • CatB
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 4:42pm

      If we outlaw insanity .. you are going to have to clear out Washington D.C. hey THAT WORKS for ME!

      Report Post »  
    • SCREW-WINDOWS
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 5:08pm

      Hey even a nut has the right to bear arms it all depends on what they do with it.

      Report Post » SCREW-WINDOWS  
  • Diane TX
    Posted on July 27, 2012 at 4:18pm

    Glad to learn that he was taken into custody for an emergency mental health evaluation BEFORE he could do any harm. I wish that had been the case in Aurora, CO.

    Report Post »  
    • SCREW-WINDOWS
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 5:03pm

      Quick arrest Obama for a emergency mental health evaluation for he is a bigger threat.

      Report Post » SCREW-WINDOWS  
    • FREEDOMoverFEAR
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 5:25pm

      You’re so right Diane everyone the Government fears might possibly maybe commit a crime needs to be taken into custody and then the Government can decide if they are safe to be released. I mean what did this guy think? That he has the “Freedom of Speech” as an unalienable right, doesn‘t he know he’s in America land of the regulated and controlled? Bad stuff happens don’t give up freedom for safety. “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Benjamin Franklin

      Report Post » FREEDOMoverFEAR  
    • SCREW-WINDOWS
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 7:51pm

      The man just had his gun rights taken away because on the Federal firearm purchase form there is a question have you ever been involuntarily commited. Now his answer would have to be yes.

      Report Post » SCREW-WINDOWS  
  • klatoo
    Posted on July 27, 2012 at 4:15pm

    Gun control / schmun control. That ain’t going to happen. But the US olympic committe is fixing to dip the America flag during the festivities! This is against federal law.
    Did I wake up on a different planet? Have we lost our minds? Has the US government become a foreign occupying power?.
    It seems so.

    Report Post »  
  • lapua338shooter
    Posted on July 27, 2012 at 4:11pm

    Like the anti-gunners needed still another excuse to make noise about those bad guns…..

    Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on July 27, 2012 at 4:11pm

    The lunatics on the left will be howling to enact yet more unconstitutional ‘gun laws’,because the thousands of unconstitutional ‘gun laws’ on the books aren’t enough,we need more to protect us.

    I never could figure out how thousands of new laws and regulations increase our liberty and freedom from government.If there‘s anyone who could explain how that works I’d like to hear about it,I’m just a libertarian who likes the government confined in as small a box as we can make for them.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • jmgair
    Posted on July 27, 2012 at 4:09pm

    So now Obama has a chance to insert himself into this incident and go to meet with the employees at this business who were not harmed by this fool.

    Report Post »  
  • Silversmith
    Posted on July 27, 2012 at 4:09pm

    Why do I think that because nothing actually happened, this could be theater?

    Silversmith

    Report Post » Silversmith  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on July 27, 2012 at 4:02pm

    Now get ready for the howling of the Democratic extremists and other gun control freakazoids as this will be used as one more excuse to try and enforce their madness upon us all.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  

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