A Pennsylvania man is in custody after authorities discovered a “hit list” that included 20 state Democrats.
Adam Berryhill, 42, of Lebanon County was arrested on May 6 and charged with one count of terroristic threats. He waived his preliminary hearing Thursday.
Pennsylvania State Police said on May 1, troopers learned of the threats and list, which were posted on X.
The post included a picture of a firearm and mention of a “Memorial Day Operation.”
The list included Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, congressional candidates Sen. Sharif Street and Rep. Christopher Rabb, and House Appropriations Committee Chairman, Rep. Jordan Harris.
Gov. Josh Shapiro, himself a Democrat, released a statement saying, his administration “will continue to do everything in our power to keep them safe and ensure their members can continue to make their voices heard as the people’s elected representatives.”
Democratic House Speaker Joanna McClinton, Majority Leader Matt Bradford, Republican Leader Jesse Topper, and Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa released a joint statement.
“A central Pennsylvania man was arrested last week for allegedly singling out several members of the General Assembly as targets on a Memorial Day hitlist. These threats are extremely disturbing, not just to the members identified, but to all public figures who are contending with an increasingly hostile environment,” they wrote.
“As leaders of the General Assembly, we know that disagreement and debate are features of a healthy democracy. Threats of violence and harm are not. We condemn any threat against any of our colleagues who are faithfully serving their communities and pledge to support mental health care, intervention, and law enforcement funding that make our state safer,” the continued.
“The threats are a symptom of a greater sickness in our democracy. The escalation of political violence has reached an astounding level, impacting elected officials from school boards to the president of the United States. Pennsylvania has not been immune to that violence,” they wrote.
“As Pennsylvanians we can’t and won’t allow political violence to become commonplace in our commonwealth. We won’t allow it to discourage good people from becoming involved in their communities and seeking public office,” the lawmakers wrote. “We won’t accept it as the consequence of public service.”
Berryhill is being held in the Lebanon County Prison on $250,000 bail.
His arraignment hearing is scheduled for June 11 at the Lebanon County Courthouse.
