August 2024 TorchStone Global Monthly Executive Protection Report
TorchStone Global believes that broader situational awareness and intelligence are key to providing quality executive protection—whether the principal is a Fortune 500 CEO, international celebrity, or local city council member. With that in mind, we are launching our monthly executive protection report, cataloging incidents we have captured through our open-source searches that are relevant to the practice of executive protection. We hope the report will serve as a centralized source of threat activity to provide insight into current trends in threats to high-profile individuals.
For more information on customized threat tracking for at-risk individuals, threat assessments, executive protection, or other security services, please contact us.
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Summary
The TorchStone Executive Protection Report tracked 22 domestic and 14 international security incidents or updates to prior incidents impacting high-profile individuals during the month of August 2024.
- Activists and criminals alike took advantage of the August vacation season in Ibiza, Spain to target celebrities and their property. On August 6, the climate activist group Futuro Vegetal vandalized the vacation home of soccer player Lionel Messi, painting slogans such as, “Help the planet, eat a rich person.” The group claims that the luxury homes belonging to Messi and other high-net-worth individuals are illegally constructed. Then, on August 14, burglars raided the vacation home where British media personality, Nick Grimshaw, and his family were staying. That group is suspected of being behind a string of similar burglaries over the summer in Ibiza.
- Iran continues to attempt to assassinate officials on U.S. soil despite recent failures. On August 6, Federal investigators charged a Pakistani national for plotting to assassinate U.S. politicians and government officials. Details in the case suggest that the man was working under the direction of Iranian operatives. This is the fourth Iranian-backed assassination plot against U.S. leaders in the past 3 years, demonstrating Tehran’s persistence in targeting its perceived enemies on U.S. soil. In most plots, the operatives are third-country nationals, such as the Pakistani national apprehended last month. In his case, police detained him after he attempted to pay undercover law enforcement agents $5,000 as an advance for an assassination
Business Executive
| Location: Bogota, Colombia | Tactic: Attack | Venue: Home |
August 7, 2024: A business executive in the emerald mining industry died after a sniper shot him while he was in his apartment near the Palatino shopping center in north Bogota on August 7. Juan Sebastián Aguilar, also known as ‘Pedro Aguilar’ or ‘Pedro Pechuga’ was reportedly shot by a sniper concealed in a nearby forested, mountainous area in NW Bogota. The emerald and gem mining industry in Colombia has been associated with violence in the past. Police have not announced any arrests. Aguilar’s company Fedesmeraldas expressed its deep indignation at the violent death of the businessman.
| Location: Brooklyn, NY | Tactic: Harassment | Venue: Home |
August 8, 2024: The apartment building of Columbia University’s Chief Operating Officer, Cas Holloway, was vandalized by pro-Palestinian protesters. The activists splashed red paint on the building and allegedly released live crickets and mealworms inside. They also placed leaflets accusing Holloway of being responsible for the arrests of pro-Palestinian students at Columbia. This act of vandalism is part of a series of similar protests targeting university officials and institutions over their perceived stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime.
| Location: Tripoli, Libya | Tactic: Other Crime | Venue: Home |
August 18, 2024: Libya’s central bank in Tripoli suspended all operations following the kidnapping of Musaab Muslam, its head of IT. The shutdown was implemented to ensure Muslam’s release and to address threats against other bank employees. The abduction came amid rising tensions and a recent armed siege aimed at forcing the resignation of the bank’s governor, Seddik al-Kabir. The central bank, crucial for managing Libya’s oil revenues, resumed operations on August 19 after Muslam was freed. The bank condemned the illegal actions and expressed concerns over potential impacts on Libya’s access to international financial markets. The country remains deeply divided and unstable since the 2011 uprising, with ongoing conflicts between rival factions in Tripoli and Benghazi.
Celebrity
| Location: Los Angeles, CA | Tactic: Other Crime | Venue: Home |
May 5, 2024: Burglars targeted social media influencer Victoria Paris’s Silver Lake home while she was traveling in Europe and posting widely about her trip. On May 5, while she was away, her Silver Lake home was burglarized. Residential security cameras recorded a man breaking in and leaving with designer purses and jewelry. The 25-year-old social media influencer has more than 400,000 followers on Instagram and nearly 2 million on TikTok. The Los Angeles Times first reported the burglary on August 22.
| Location: Los Angeles, CA | Tactic: Other Crime | Venue: Home |
August 5, 2024: Law enforcement reports that actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson were the latest victims in a series of ongoing home burglaries in Southern California in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. A few weeks ago, suspects believed to be part of the crews targeting high-end neighborhoods burglarized the couple’s Los Angeles home. Sources indicate that the guest house on Hanks’ property was hit, but the suspects did not enter the main house. It remains unclear what was taken from the property, and no arrests have been made so far.
| Location: Los Angeles, CA | Tactic: Stalking | Venue: Home |
August 5, 2024: Kim Kardashian sought a restraining order against a man who previously broke into actress Emma Roberts’ house and recently trespassed on her Malibu estate. Last month, the alleged stalker arrived at Ms. Kardashian’s home, where security confronted him at the perimeter fence. He threatened to jump the fence, but security thwarted his attempt. The alleged stalker has a history of making unwanted visits to Ms. Kardashian’s friends and relatives, claiming he wants to contact her and her children. Ms. Kardashian filed the request in Los Angeles Superior Court on August 5.
| Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh | Tactic: Attack | Venue: Home |
August 5, 2024: In Bangladesh, a renowned Hindu folk singer Rahul Ananda and his family fled their home after a mob attacked and set it on fire, destroying over 3,000 musical instruments. Ananda, had recently hosted French President Emmanuel Macron, showcasing his collection of instruments and music. The house, which served as the band’s studio and a repository of their musical legacy, was heavily damaged in the violence following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. The unrest has seen widespread attacks on statues, minority communities, and other symbols across the country.
| Location: Ibiza, Spain | Tactic: Harassment | Venue: Home |
August 6, 2024: The climate activist group Futuro Vegetal vandalized Lionel Messi’s mansion in Ibiza with red and black paint to protest the perceived disproportionate impact of the rich on the climate crisis. The group claimed Messi’s €11 million home was an “illegal” construction and used the act of “non-violent civil disobedience” to criticize both the wealthy and government policies they believe exacerbate the climate crisis. Activists displayed provocative banners with slogans such as “help the planet, eat a rich person, and abolish the police.” They cited Oxfam’s 2023 report, which highlights the stark carbon emissions disparity between the wealthiest 1% and the poorest two-thirds of the global population. Futuro Vegetal also condemned legal and political systems, asserting that the rich escape legal consequences while poorer individuals face eviction and exploitation. Futuro Vegetal previously targeted luxury venues and vehicles, including the Pacha nightclub, Blue Marlin beach club, a private jet, a Lamborghini, and a mega yacht.
| Location: Vienna, Austria | Tactic: Stalking | Venue: Other Restricted Area |
August 7, 2024: Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna were canceled due to a thwarted terrorist plot targeting the shows. Austrian police arrested two individuals, including a 19-year-old who had pledged allegiance to ISIS. The arrests were made in connection with plans to attack major events in Vienna, including Swift’s concerts at Ernst Happel Stadium. The event organizer announced the cancellations for safety reasons, and all tickets were refunded. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer expressed his disappointment and gratitude for the early identification of the threat. The 19-year-old suspect was found with chemical substances potentially linked to bomb-making.
| Location: Los Angeles, CA | Tactic: Harassment | Venue: Home |
August 9, 2024: The artist Kehlani has filed for a temporary restraining order against her ex, Javaughn Young-White, amid their ongoing custody battle over their daughter. The order, filed on August 9, 2024, prohibits Young-White from contacting Kehlani or their daughter, and mandates he stays at least 100 yards away from them and their residences. The restraining order follows Kehlani’s allegations of abuse, including emotional harm and threats to her and their daughter’s safety. Young-White, who has been accused of having a history of abuse and non-cooperation, also faces restrictions on traveling with Adeya and possessing firearms. A court hearing for the restraining order is scheduled for September.
| Location: Westmoreland, OH | Tactic: Stalking | Venue: Home |
August 12, 2024: An Ohio resident will remain in jail without bond following a court hearing on August 12, 2024. He is accused of stalking rock singer Lacey Sturm, including making multiple trips to her Murrysville home and sending threatening emails through her fan website. Charged with stalking, trespassing, and harassment, his defense argued for bail, citing the misdemeanor nature of the charges. However, prosecutors and the judge expressed concerns about his potential threat to Sturm and the community, given his apparent obsession and potential mental health issues. A psychological examination has been ordered, and no trial date has been set.
| Location: Los Angeles, CA | Tactic: Other Crime | Venue: Home |
August 13, 2024: Model Daniela Braga became a victim of the ongoing home burglary wave in Southern California when her Los Angeles home was targeted. Burglary crews continue to hit high-end neighborhoods throughout the Los Angeles. area. According to law enforcement, the suspects entered the residence by smashing a rear window, a method commonly used by these crews. Officials confirmed that no one was home during the burglary, and approximately $1 million worth of items, including luxury handbags and jewelry, were stolen. The Los Angeles Police Department is actively investigating the case.
| Location: Ibiza, Spain | Tactic: Other Crime | Venue: Home |
August 14, 2024: Former Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw’s Ibiza holiday villa was invaded by thieves while he, his 81-year-old mother Eileen, and his fiancé Meshach Henry slept. The gang, part of a broader wave of luxury villa thefts in Ibiza this summer, targeted the villa due to its high-net-worth clients. No one was harmed, and Grimshaw has since returned to his home in north London. The robbery is part of a spate of similar crimes on the island, with the villa being a victim of a broader trend rather than targeted specifically.
| Location: Los Angeles, CA | Tactic: Other Crime | Venue: Home |
August 15, 2024: Italian reality star Davide Sanclimenti has fallen victim to the ongoing wave of home burglaries in Southern California, with his Los Angeles home being targeted. Burglary crews continue to strike high-end neighborhoods across the L.A. area. Additionally, the suspects reportedly stole nearly $1.2 million worth of personal belongings and escaped within six minutes. The Los Angeles Police Department is actively investigating the case.
| Location: Los Angeles, CA | Tactic: Other Crime | Venue: Home |
August 15, 2024: Matthew Perry’s death in October 2023 has led to multiple charges against several individuals connected to his fatal overdose. Perry, best known for his role on Friends, died from acute ketamine effects. The indictment includes two doctors, Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez, as well as Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, and Jasveen Sangha, a well-known ketamine distributor. The defendants are charged with multiple counts, including drug distribution resulting in death. Prosecutors allege that Plasencia and Chavez distributed ketamine to Perry. Iwamasa, who administered the drug without medical training, is also implicated. Sangha, identified as a major ketamine dealer, is accused of supplying ketamine to Perry and is facing ten felony counts, including distribution resulting in death. The legal proceedings involve multiple defendants, with trials scheduled for October 2024. If convicted, the charges could result in severe penalties, including life imprisonment.
| Location: Kolkata, India | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
August 22, 2024: Actress and former Minister of Parliament, Mimi Chakraborty, reported that she has been receiving rape threats on social media. Kolkata police are investigating. There have not been any arrests.
| Location: Marbella, Spain | Tactic: Other Crime | Venue: Home |
August 24, 2024: Thieves stole approximately £20,000 worth of possessions after ransacking the villa where Jacqueline Jossa and her family were staying. The stolen items included jewelry, cash, designer clothes, and electronic devices. The couple reportedly woke up during the early hours of the weekend to find two masked intruders shining torches in their rooms. Despite the villa being equipped with strong security measures and CCTV, it is believed the burglars took about ten minutes to break in.
| Location: Los Angeles, CA | Tactic: Stalking | Venue: Communication Channels |
August 25, 2024: A fan of Nicki Minaj is suing the rapper for $5 million, claiming defamation and emotional distress. He alleges that Nicki publicly humiliated him, calling him a mentally unstable stalker, and mistreated him in various incidents dating back to 2017. He accuses her of ridiculing him on social media and in person, including an Instagram Live event and a Super Bowl weekend event involving her husband, Kenneth Petty. Nicki Minaj’s attorney dismisses the lawsuit as a baseless attempt to financially exploit her, asserting that Peak has a history of harassment and will face legal consequences for his claims.
| Location: Los Angeles, CA | Tactic: Other Crime | Venue: Home |
August 26, 2024: LAPD apprehended a 40-year-old homeless man who allegedly trespassed at actress Lana Parrilla’s Los Angeles home earlier this month. The individual entered the grounds, and after being spotted by security, the police were called, resulting in his arrest. Police reported that incidents of a homeless person trespassing onto someone’s property are frequent in the neighborhood. Notably, Ms. Parilla was not present at the property during the incident.
| Location: San Francisco, CA | Tactic: Attack | Venue: Public Area |
August 31, 2024: A 17-year-old suspect shot and injured San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in an attempted luxury watch robbery. The suspect reportedly approached Pearsall outside 77 Geary St. around 3:30 p.m. and demanded his Rolex watch at gunpoint. Pearsall resisted, resulting in a struggle that left both suspect and victim with gunshot wounds. Pearsall was released from the hospital the following day and the suspect is in custody awaiting charges.
Federal Government
| Location: Washington, D.C. | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
August 2, 2024: A 41-year-old woman from San Antonio, Texas, has been charged for threatening former President Donald Trump and illegally carrying a firearm. The Woman traveled to the capital and was arrested after the Secret Service alerted the Metropolitan Police Department. She faces charges for carrying a pistol without a license, possessing an unregistered firearm, and making threats against a former president. Police discovered a Smith & Wesson pistol and related items in her vehicle. This incident follows a recent assassination attempt on former President Trump and comes amid ongoing investigations into the attack and broader security issues surrounding former President Trump.
| Location: Winchester, Virginia | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
August 2, 2024: A 66-year-old man in Virginia has been arrested for allegedly threatening to kill Vice President Kamala Harris, along with other public officials. He is accused of posting over 4,000 threatening comments on GETTR, targeting Harris, President Biden, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He mentioned Harris 19 times, particularly after her announcement to run for president. Charged with violating a U.S. law against threats to high officials, he was found with an AR-15 rifle and a 9mm handgun during a search of his home. In one post social media post he stated, “I HAVE MY AR-15 LOCKED AND LOADED.” The FBI began their investigation after threats to an Arizona office were reported.
| Location: New York, NY | Tactic: Stalking | Venue: Office |
August 6, 2024: A man has been charged with murder-for-hire as part of an alleged plot to assassinate a U.S. politician or government official. The complaint, unsealed in Brooklyn, details how he traveled to New York City to arrange the murder, which was thwarted by law enforcement before any attack could be carried out. The man, who has ties to Iran and Pakistan, reportedly arrived in the U.S. from Pakistan after spending time in Iran. He is accused of contacting a person he believed could help with his scheme, who then informed law enforcement. He met with this confidential source and undercover FBI agents in New York, outlining his plans which included theft, organizing protests, and carrying out the assassination. He allegedly paid $5,000 to undercover agents as an advance for the murder and was arrested on July 12, 2024, before he could leave the U.S. The FBI has taken the lead in investigating the case, with federal prosecutors handling the prosecution. He faces charges for orchestrating a foreign-directed plot against U.S. officials, which has been met with strong condemnation and response from U.S. authorities.
| Location: Washington, D.C. | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Other Restricted Area |
August 6, 2024: A Nevada man charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot, has been jailed due to alleged threats against public officials, including Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett. A federal judge in Maryland decided his “escalating rhetoric” justified his continued detention until a hearing next week. This follows a previous decision by U.S. District Judge John Bates to revoke his pretrial release in July. The man, who was seen in Capitol riot footage, faces trial starting December 10. He has reportedly made threatening social media posts targeting various figures, including Attorney General Merrick Garland and New York Attorney General Letitia James. These threats and his confrontational behavior toward FBI agents investigating his case have raised safety concerns.
| Location: Ashburn, VA | Tactic: Other Crime | Venue: Office |
August 11, 2024: A burglary occurred at the campaign office for former President Donald Trump in Ashburn, Virginia. The office, which also serves as the headquarters for the Virginia 10th District Republican Committee, was broken into. Surveillance footage shows a suspect in dark clothing with a backpack breaking into the office and rummaging through it. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident and has yet to confirm if anything was stolen. Sheriff Mike Chapman emphasized the rarity of such incidents involving political offices and assured that efforts are underway to identify the suspect and understand the motive behind the burglary. The Trump campaign and the 10th District Republican Committee have not yet commented on the situation.
| Location: Galway, Ireland | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
August 11, 2024: An Irish man appeared in Galway District Court facing charges for making an online threat to kill or cause serious harm to Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Simon Harris and his family. He was charged without lawful excuse and appeared in court. The judge granted bail under strict conditions, including staying off social media and the internet, surrendering travel documents, adhering to a curfew from 11:00 to 19:00, and maintaining a charged phone. He is set to appear in court again on September 17.
| Location: Cortez, CO | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
August 23, 2024: A man in Colorado was arrested by the FBI and charged with transmitting interstate threats against election officials, a judge, and federal law enforcement agents. The FBI’s investigation, based on posts he made on social media platforms Rumble and Gab under the username “Teakty4u,” revealed that he threatened multiple public servants. The man has a history of illegal firearm possession, and allegedly made statements about executing state election officials and a Colorado state judge. His threats also extended to believing that violence against public officials was necessary due to perceived incompetence and corruption. His social media posts and messages indicated a continued interest in violent actions against public officials. The names of his alleged targets are sealed by the court.
| Location: Khagaria, India | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
August 28, 2024: MP Ram Vilas from Khagaria filed a complaint about receiving a death threat over the phone. Police arrested the suspect a week later.
| Location: Erfurt, Thuringia, Germany | Tactic: Harassment | Venue: Public Area |
August 11, 2024: The leader of Germany’s Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) was targeted with pink paint during a campaign rally in Erfurt, Thuringia. The attack, carried out by a middle-aged man, missed Wagenknecht but led to his swift detention by security. The BSW, a party formed from a split in the Left party, combines social conservatism with left-wing economic policies.
State Government
| Location: North Charleston, SC | Tactic: Harassment | Venue: Public Area |
August 14, 2024: State Representative JA Moore of North Charleston has called for increased measures to protect communities from gun violence after he was allegedly threatened at gunpoint over a parking dispute. Moore reported to police that a man cut him off and took his intended parking spot. When Moore confronted the man, the suspect allegedly retrieved a handgun and pointed it at him, according to Moore’s statement and an incident report. Moore, who was picking up his daughter from school at the time, fled the scene, and the suspect subsequently entered Madra Rua Irish Pub. Police later questioned the suspect, who admitted to a verbal altercation but denied using a gun. No witnesses or security footage were found to corroborate the incident.
Moore, whose sister was killed in the 2015 Emanuel AME Church shooting, emphasized the need for continued efforts to combat gun violence and ensure community safety. The investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made yet.
| Location: Kolkata, West Bengal, India | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
August 19, 2024: In India, a second-year college student named was arrested by the Kolkata Police for allegedly disclosing the identity of a trainee doctor who was a victim of rape and murder at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The man, who used the Instagram username ‘Kirtisocial,’ reportedly posted the victim’s picture and identity on social media. Additionally, he is accused of issuing threats against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, including offensive comments and death threats, which were deemed provocative and potentially inciting social unrest. He is expected to appear in court soon. The case has intensified tensions, with political figures calling for a central probe into the handling of the incident.
| Location: Montgomery, AL | Tactic: Attack | Venue: Office |
August 23, 2024: A 26-year-old Irondale man pleaded guilty to detonating an explosive device outside the Alabama State Attorney General’s office in February 2024. He faces a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 20 years in prison.
| Location: Norwalk, CT | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
August 30, 2024: State Police arrested a man after he threatened to assassinate the Connecticut Superior Court judge who signed his warrant for a previous arrest. Police were able to locate the man at his work a short time after he made the call. The suspect had originally called into the judicial call center requesting information about bodycam footage related to his previous arrest on unrelated violations.
Local Government
| Location: Kawaguchi, Japan | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
June 11, 2024: The mayor of the city of Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture, has received a death threat over social media following televised comments about Kurds in Japan, local police confirmed the media on August 27. According to local police, an X user addressed a post to Mayor Nobuo Okunoki on June 11 stating, “I’ll kill you tomorrow. Your life ends tomorrow, mayor.” Subsequent posts criticized the mayor for his statements against hate speech targeting Kurds in Japan. Japanese media first reported the threats on August 29.
| Location: Seyhan, Turkey | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Office |
August 6, 2024: During a Seyhan District Municipality council meeting in Turkey, council member Şeyhmus Uçar, from the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), issued a threatening statement against Mayor Oya Tekin of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (C. He warned Tekin that if the MHP brought in their allies from the Grey Wolves, a controversial ultra-nationalist group, there would be no place left for her in the municipality. The Grey Wolves, known for their violent tactics against ethnic minorities and leftists, have been banned in France and monitored in Germany. Uçar’s threat implied that the Grey Wolves could be used to intimidate or forcefully remove Tekin from her position. In response, Mayor Tekin challenged Uçar’s remarks, questioning the intent behind involving the Grey Wolves and asserting that such actions were unacceptable. She shared a video of the confrontation on social media, denouncing the use of violence and asserting that politics should be conducted through reasoned discussion and not threats.
| Location: Jackson, MS | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
August 20, 2024: Jeffery Scott Miles, 38, from Cleveland, Mississippi, pleaded guilty to making terroristic threats against Judge Mark Maples. Miles threatened to slap Maples over a ruling in a case involving a mother whose daughter’s suicide had gained media attention. Sentenced to 10 years of post-release supervision, with only one month served, Miles must avoid any contact with Maples or related parties. The threats, made in a vulgar voicemail, led to Miles’ arrest by U.S. Marshals in Rockford, Illinois. During the plea hearing, Miles apologized, acknowledging his mistake and attributing his outburst to anger fueled by social media content.
| Location: Paris, TX | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
August 21, 2024: Precinct 4 Constable Hunter Sanders pleaded guilty to the felony offense of Terroristic Threat of a Judge and was sentenced to deferred adjudication probation for five years, as announced by Lamar County District Attorney Gary Young. The charges stemmed from an incident on July 31, 2024, when Sanders, allegedly under the influence of drugs or alcohol, called Justice of the Peace Jimmy Steed and threatened to stab him before committing suicide. Sanders was arrested the following day with the help of the Texas Rangers. Under the plea agreement, Sanders will undergo in-custody drug and alcohol treatment at a Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility and must immediately resign from his elected office and permanently forfeit his peace officer’s license. The agreement, made after consulting with the Steed family, is typical for first-time felony offenders. If Sanders fails to adhere to the terms of his probation, he could face up to two years in prison with no eligibility for parole or good conduct credit.
| Location: Palm Desert, CA | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
August 26, 2024: Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is investigating threatening letters mailed to Palm Desert Mayor Karina Quintanilla. The letters read, “You worthless far left piece of (expletive)! WE WANT YOU DEAD!” and “We hope somebody bashes your head in.” The letters arrived at city hall shortly after a heated council meeting over the mayor’s criticism of a Republican Women Patriots-run store in the city’s main shopping area.
Community Leader
| Location: Paris, France | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
August 1, 2024: Paris prosecutors opened a hate speech investigation into death threats against Olympics opening ceremony artistic director, Thomas Jolly. Four days after the 2024 Paris Olympic opening ceremony, Mr. Jolly reported that he had been targeted with “threatening messages and insults on social networks criticizing his sexual orientation and his wrongly assumed Israeli roots.”
| Location: Vacaville, CA | Tactic: Attack | Venue: Public Area |
August 11, 2024: A Sikh leader and Khalistan movement advocate, Satinder Pal Singh Raju, was targeted in a highway shooting while traveling south on Interstate 505 near Vacaville. Raju, who was in the passenger seat of a truck, reported that a white Honda Civic shot at them, causing their truck to veer into a ditch. Raju and the driver hid until the California Highway Patrol arrived. No suspects have been identified, and the CHP has called the incident isolated. Raju, who has experienced similar violence against Sikh leaders, remains committed to his cause despite the attack.