He threatened a Publix shooting because ‘not enough people’ are wearing masks, cops say
A man was arrested after deputies say he threatened a mass shooting at a Florida Publix store because “not enough people” were wearing masks outside during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Robert Kovner, 62, of Sebring was arrested and booked late Tuesday night for the threat he wrote on Facebook, according to the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office.
“The writer was upset that not enough people, in his opinion, are wearing masks when they are out and about,” the sheriff office said.
Health officials have recommended people wear masks to cover their nose and mouth to limit the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Some counties and cities, including in South Florida, have also made it a requirement to wear masks in public place to lessen the risk of transmission.
As of Wednesday, the disease has infected more than 21,000 people in Florida and has killed more than 500.
“We realize these are stressful times, but there is no excuse for making threats like this,” the sheriff office wrote on Facebook. “It’s not a joke. It’s not just a bad day. It’s a crime. We will ALWAYS take them seriously and you will go to jail.”
Kovner was booked on felony charges relating to making a written threat of a mass shooting. His bond is set at $30,000.
This story was originally published April 15, 2020 at 10:19 AM.
