July 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 24 domestic and 12 international security incidents impacting high-profile individuals during the month of July 2024, and added two incidents from late June 2024 that were not captured in the June 2024 report. Below are some key incidents of note over the past month.
- The attempted assassination of GOP presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump during a campaign event on July 13 will yield lessons for executive protection teams for years to come. A series of security lapses allowed a man to establish a position on a rooftop about 500 feet from where Mr. Trump was speaking and fire eight shots in Mr. Trump’s direction before a Secret Service counter-sniper team neutralized him. One of the shots grazed Mr. Trump’s ear. Multiple law enforcement agencies were aware of the potential threat presented by the suspicious man ahead of time but failed to effectively address it before the attack began.The failed assassination attempt is sure to yield lessons in executive protection management once a full investigation is completed.The assassination attempt led to additional threats against local officials in Butler, PA, where the attack took place. Butler mayor Bob Dandoy revealed that he had been harassed by the same caller every day since the attack and that other City Hall staff had received concerning communications.
- Burglaries targeting celebrity homes in Los Angeles continue to exploit large plate glass windows in the rear of the house. TorchStone detected at least five incidents over the month of July involving burglars forcing entry into celebrity homes by breaking rear or patio back doors and windows. This is a common tactic since most home security systems do not feature glass break sensors, allowing criminals to avoid contact sensors on the doors or windows. Gaining entry this way allows home intruders more time to identify and take valuables before law enforcement arrives. In at least one incident, burglars targeted an influencer’s home a day after she had publicly posted about her recent financial success.
Business Executive
| Location: Berlin, Germany | Tactic: Stalking | Venue: Home |
July 11, 2024: U.S. intelligence discovered a Russian plot to assassinate the chief executive of Rheinmetall, the German arms manufacturer that has been providing artillery shells and military vehicles to Ukraine. Western intelligence officials have accused Russia of harboring multiple plans to assassinate defense industry executives across Europe involved in supporting Ukraine’s military. CNN cited unnamed intelligence officials who claimed that a plot to assassinate Rheinmetall’s CEO, Armin Papperger, was the most developed. The revelation of the plot marks a shift from targeting transport infrastructure in Europe, to targeting armaments facilities, to executives of defense companies.
| Location: Gqeberha, South Africa | Tactic: Attack | Venue: Public Area |
July 19, 2024: A South African businessman was kidnapped while driving to work in Kosten early in the morning of July 19. The businessman is the VP for the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber and was held for a ransom of R10m before being released six days later on July 25. It is unclear if a ransom was paid according to authorities, and the businessman was found unharmed.
Celebrity
| Location: Los Angeles, CA | Tactic: Other Crime | Venue: Home |
June 29, 2024: Marlon Wayans and his family faced an incident in their Los Angeles home as it was targeted by burglars. Marlon was not present, but his brother Keenen Ivory Wayans was home during the break-in around 2:30 AM. The thieves entered through a shattered window in the backyard, prompting Keenen to investigate a noise but dismissed it as nothing significant. It was not until a staff member returned later that morning that the burglary was discovered. The thieves made off with a safe containing several thousand dollars in cash. Police have initiated an investigation and are actively seeking leads in the neighborhood, although no arrests have been made yet.
| Location: Paris, France | Tactic: Other Crime | Venue: Public Area |
July 8, 2024: Puerto Rican singer Guaynaa revealed that his social media influencer wife, Lele Pons, was targeted in a robbery in Paris while the couple was vacationing there. The singer announced the theft on his Instagram page without providing additional details; however, he did caution travelers to “Please take good care of your belongings when you go [to Paris], and trust no one.” The couple had heavily promoted their March 2023 wedding and he had previously disclosed the value of the ring was $100,000.
| Location: Bushey, UK | Tactic: Attack | Venue: Home |
July 9, 2024: A man armed with a crossbow shot and killed the wife and two daughters of BBC racing commentator John Hunt at their home north of London. The women were found seriously injured and later pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is being treated as a targeted murder. Police later found the suspect seriously injured from what is believed to be a self-inflicted wound. Authorities were still unable to question him as of the end of July as the suspect recovered. A specific motive for the attack remains unclear.
| Location: Los Angeles, CA | Tactic: Other Crime | Venue: Home |
July 12, 2024: LAPD responded to reports of a burglary at the residence of NFL athlete Anthony Barr at approximately 2 am in Encino. Surveillance footage shows three intruders entering the property through the backyard, breaking a rear window, and gaining access to the house.
| Location: Los Angeles, CA | Tactic: Other Crime | Venue: Home |
July 12, 2024: Surveillance footage alerted LAPD that rapper Bhad Bhabie’s (real name Danielle Peskowitz Bregoli) Woodland Hills’ residence had been targeted by burglars who forced entry by breaking through a rear door. They reportedly took handbags and jewelry from the rapper and social media influencer’s home. Bregoli had announced a day earlier that she had earned over $57 million in revenue through her OnlyFans account.
| Location: Oakland, CA | Tactic: Attack | Venue: Public Area |
July 13, 2024: A California rapper known as Tan DaGod (real name Alliauna Green) was fatally shot while hosting the grand opening of Glamor Beauty Supply in Oakland. Oakland Police reported that another person sustained injuries, and they are still working to identify the shooter. Ms. Green posted on Instagram to her nearly 20,000 followers just before the shooting and had promoted the event a week earlier, announcing a meet-and-greet at Glamor Beauty. Police stated that Green was involved in a dispute with another individual when the shooting occurred. Police arrested a man linked to the murder on July 23.
| Location: London, UK | Tactic: Stalking | Venue: Home |
July 13, 2024: TV personality Shirley Ballas contacted police after allegedly being targeted by a stalker who was taking pictures of her house and car. She also accused the man of lunging at her in one incident. Ballas, who has received death threats in the past, contacted authorities after being concerned for her safety, police have since confiscated the alleged stalker’s phone and computer as part of their investigation into the matter.
| Location: Los Angeles, CA | Tactic: Harassment | Venue: Home |
July 13, 2024: The LAPD responded to reality star JoJo Siwa’s Los Angeles residence on July 13 following an apparent swatting incident. Swatting involves making a prank call to emergency services to dispatch a large number of armed police officers to a specific address. Ms. Siwa revealed her home was also swatted in 2021.
| Location: Miami, FL | Tactic: Stalking | Venue: Other Restricted Area |
July 14, 2024: Fans stalked Lionel Messi by watching through the peephole of their hotel room across from Messi’s room. A video posted on Instagram appears to show several people recording through their hotel room peephole waiting for the soccer star to emerge from his room. Once they spotted him, they rushed down the hall, but Messi had already entered the elevator and security staff were standing by to keep the fans out of the elevator. Messi was staying at a hotel in Miami for the Copa America soccer tournament.
| Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
July 17, 2024: Authorities detained an American man who made threats against Taylor Swift on social media ahead of her first Germany “Eras Tour” stop. Ms. Swift performed again on July 18 and July 19 without incident. Police stated that the suspected stalker, who had a ticket to Swift’s concert at Gelsenkirchen’s Veltins Arena on July 17, was detained during entry checks. He had been investigated, and in an abundance of caution detained the individual. The man had made threats against Swift and her boyfriend, NFL athlete Travis Kelce, on social media, leading concert organizers to alert the police.
| Location: Springfield, MO | Tactic: Stalking | Venue: Home |
July 17, 2024: Singer Chappell Roan revealed on a podcast that she has dealt with stalkers since rising to fame. During an appearance on a podcast, the singer said that she wants to “pump the brakes” on her career because she is feeling unsafe due to fans’ behavior. The 26-year-old singer explained that fans have followed her, and researched where her parents live, where her sister works, etc.
| Location: Los Angeles, CA | Tactic: Other Crime | Venue: Home |
July 19, 2024: LAPD responded to reports of a burglary at the residence of rapper Blxst (real name Matthew Dean Burdette) located in the San Fernando Valley neighborhood. Law enforcement reports indicate that the home invasion occurred at Mr. Burdette’s residence in the early morning hours on July 19. Surveillance footage shows intruders entering the property and breaking a rear patio door to gain access to the house. Police state that Mr. Burdette was not at home during the invasion, however, his children and their nanny were in the home.
| Location: Leeds, UK | Tactic: Other Crime | Venue: Office |
July 23, 2024: Police are investigating a robbery that took place at Gogglebox star Ellie Warner’s hair salon in the early hours of July 23. Warner says nothing of high value was taken, but damage was done to the salon after the suspect broke into the property and stayed there for 40 minutes, ultimately taking an assortment of low-value items.
| Location: Paris, France | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
July 26, 2024: Members of the Israeli Olympic delegation reportedly received emails and phone calls threatening another “Munich 1972” if they attended the Olympics and suggested there would be funerals as a result. Munich 1972 refers to the 1972 Olympics when pro-Palestine militants abducted and eventually killed 11 Israeli athletes and a German police officer. French and Israeli security forces are coordinating closely to provide security for Israeli athletes during the 2024 Olympics to prevent a repeat of the attack.
| Location: Malmo, Los Angeles, CA | Tactic: Other Crime | Venue: Home |
July 27, 2024: The LAPD responded to reports of a burglary at actress Sarah Hyland’s residence in the Studio City neighborhood. Surveillance footage captures intruders entering the property and breaking a window to gain access to the house. Police report that Ms. Hyland was not at home during the invasion.
Federal Government
| Location: Pasay City, Philippines | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
July 4, 2024: Philippines Senator Serwin Gatchalian formally requested additional police protection after his staff discovered a video circulating online threatening him personally. Senator Gatchalian noted that the threats appear to be related to his involvement in an investigation into the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) and the role of Asian organized criminal groups known as Triads. The president of the Senate later approved additional security for Senator Gatchalian on July 18.
| Location: Washington, D.C. | Tactic: Other Crime | Venue: Home |
July 5, 2024: An 18-year-old suspect was shot by US Marshals after allegedly attempting to carjack federal officers assigned to protect Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. The incident occurred around 1:15 am outside Justice Sotomayor’s condominium, where the suspect approached a deputy marshal, pointed a handgun, and attempted to steal his vehicle. The marshal responded by firing several shots, injuring the suspect non-fatally before arresting him. The shooting is under investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division, and the US Attorney’s Office will independently review the case.
| Location: Nuuk, Greenland | Tactic: Other Crime | Venue: Public Area |
July 6, 2024: A man on a scooter collided with Denmark’s Queen Mary, causing her to stumble, while she was greeting a crowd in Nuuk, Greenland. A protection agent intervened, pushing back the vehicle, and no injuries were reported.
| Location: Butler, PA | Tactic: Attack | Venue: Public Area |
July 13, 2024: GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally. President Trump’s protection detail responded and killed the 20-year-old local man who opened fire on Trump during a public rally. While the former president suffered a minor injury to his ear, one audience member was killed by the gunfire. Similar to previous assassins, the gunman had conducted research on other high-profile individuals, including President Joe Biden. He did not have a criminal record and had legally purchased the weapon and ammunition. The failed assassination highlighted a series of security lapses ranging from local police to Secret Service officers protecting Trump during his campaign appearance. Public outcry over the incident eventually led to US Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle’s resignation.
| Location: Tallahassee, FL | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
July 17, 2024: A Florida man faces federal charges for allegedly making violent threats against President Joe Biden and a Secret Service agent. The charges include making threatening communications and threats against federal officers. The Secret Service began investigating him after he reportedly expressed intentions to kill Biden to a healthcare provider in June. Post on social media posts on X (Twitter) contained threats against Biden and the agent. Despite claims of mental health issues, a judge ruled that he was a threat to the community and ordered him to remain in federal custody, citing strong evidence supporting the charges against him.
| Location: Atlanta, GA | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
July 18, 2024: Federal authorities arrested and arraigned a Roswell, Georgia man for allegedly making interstate threats to harm FBI Director Christopher Wray and others. U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan emphasized the seriousness of threatening public officials dedicated to upholding justice and protecting citizens. The indictment states that on June 7, 2023, the man posted a threatening message on 4chan.org targeting Director Wray and using violent language. Language in the message included referring to the Director as a “Nazi” and called to, “hit them where it hurts… Make his family fear stepping one foot outside their [expletive door].”
| Location: Jupiter, FL | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
July 18, 2024: Jupiter Police arrested a man for allegedly making threats against former President Donald Trump, as well as Vice President nominee JD Vance and their families on social media. He faces charges of written threats to kill, following multiple alarming posts on Facebook targeting Trump and Vance, including threats of bodily harm towards their families. The arrest, conducted without incident, placed him in Palm Beach County Jail. The case involved coordination with the U.S. Secret Service and local authorities, highlighting ongoing concerns over threats made on social platforms.
| Location: Lviv, Ukraine | Tactic: Attack | Venue: Public Area |
July 19, 2024: A gunman fatally shot Iryna Farion, a former member of Ukraine’s parliament renowned for her campaigns to promote the Ukrainian language. Farion, 60, was shot in the head on a street in the western city of Lviv and succumbed to her injuries after being transported to a hospital.
| Location: Las Vegas, NV | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
July 23, 2024: A Las Vegas man appeared in federal court facing 22 charges of threatening to assault and murder federal judges and state employees in Montana, New Jersey, New York, and Washington, D.C. According to the indictment, the accused made threatening phone calls and sent an email threatening to assault and murder eight federal officials between Nov. 30, 2023, and July 7, 2024. The indictment also accused the suspect of threatening three state employees.
| Location: Roubaix, France | Tactic: Attack | Venue: Office |
July 28, 2024: A letter sent to French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin tested positive for the bubonic plague after his staff alerted authorities of a suspicious letter sent without a stamp and having undisclosed “inscriptions” on the back. Once opening the letter, authorities found a black powder inside the letter, along with the letter that reportedly included racial insults. Authorities say the powder tested positive for the bubonic plague. There were no injuries associated with the incident.
| Location: Washington, D.C. | Tactic: Harassment | Venue: Office |
July 29, 2024: Climate activists from the Sunrise Movement were arrested outside vice presidential candidate JD Vance’s senate office. Eight protesters were arrested after refusing to follow police orders to move from outside Vance’s office. Those arrested violated laws against demonstrating inside Congressional office buildings according to Capital Police spokesperson Brianna Burch.
| Location: Trim, County Meath, Ireland | Tactic: Attack | Venue: Home |
July 29, 2024: An Irish prison officer was targeted in an arson attack at their home. An official from the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) stated publicly that the attack is related to the officer’s work. The police are actively investigating the attack. No suspects have been identified and no arrests have been made in connection with the incident. Irish republican dissidents have targeted law enforcement authorities in Northern Ireland at their home in the past.
State Government
| Location: Harrisonburg, PA | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
July 6, 2024: The Pennsylvania Capitol building was evacuated due to a bomb threat. An anonymous individual sent an email to every member of the Pennsylvania state legislature which included the threat and stated, “in the name of Palestine.” A similar threat was also made against the Pennsylvania Judicial Center, which was closed at the time. The Capitol was evacuated for approximately five hours and there was ultimately no threat detected. Pennsylvania police and the FBI have opened an investigation into the threats.
| Location: Dekalb, IL | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
July 15, 2024: Police arrested a DeKalb County man for threatening to assassinate Republican state Rep. Jeff Keicher for holding “a partisan event at a public high school.” The event, a popular Senior Health Fair, had to be rescheduled due to the threat. The man was charged with threatening a public official. The suspect claimed that he never intended to carry out the threat and was “angry” and “confused” when the threat was made.
Local Government
| Location: Milwaukee, WI | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
June 28, 2024: A man has been charged with 11 counts of battery or threat to a judge, prosecutor, or law enforcement official after allegedly threatening Milwaukee County District Attorney John T. Chisholm and his family. The threats were first discovered when the man sent 11 emails, loaded with racial slurs and profanities, to the District Attorney’s Office threatening to kill Chisholm. After further investigation, it was found that Chisholm had been targeted with threatening emails from the suspect since 2022 but were flagged as junk and filtered out of the inbox. It was discovered that more than 3,500 messages had been sent over seven weeks. When investigating the suspect’s home, investigators found a handgun, two shotguns, and an AR-15 rifle, as well as ammunition, a sword, a ballistic vest, and security badges. A relative who was interviewed believes that the suspect holds a grudge against the District Attorney’s Office due to a 2019 drunk driving case.
| Location: Huntington, WV | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Office |
July 8, 2024: Huntington City Hall had to increase security following threats made against Mayor Steve Williams by a former mayoral candidate Richard Luther. Luther, who ran in the primary, has been charged with intimidation and retaliation against a public official. He reportedly made threats to kill Williams at City Hall and later claimed that Williams and his brother-in-law were affiliated with the mafia. Luther has denied threatening the mayor and argues that the accusations are politically motivated. He claims he has information about city officials that he intends to expose. Luther, who was previously vocal at city council meetings, has posted a $25,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court soon. He is prohibited from contacting Williams or being near City Hall.
| Location: San Diego, CA | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
July 9, 2024: A study conducted by the University of San Diego found that three in four elected officials from Riverside County, San Diego had been threatened during their tenure. Of those surveyed, 63% said that they were worried for their safety and 6% stated they changed their votes due to threats or harassing behavior. Threats against local officials are on the rise nationwide; however, local officials in California have reported the highest number of threats and harassment of any U.S. state.
| Location: Houston, TX | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Home |
July 15, 2024: A Houston man has been arrested for pointing a weapon at city electric workers. Approximately a week following Hurricane Beryl’s landfall in southeast Texas, linemen working to restore power in Houston reported numerous threats made by residents. The man arrested has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon after threatening workers with an assault rifle.
| Location: Waupaca, WI | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Public Area |
July 15, 2024: A former Waupaca County prosecutor has been charged with issuing a threat to an elected official. The individual allegedly threatened a judge and a prosecutor in separate communications. The man threatened the judge via text message stating, “I feel it’s fair to let you know that you are on my [expletive] list. If I hear you name again you’re gonna be sorry. Have a nice life.” Similarly, the man issued a threat to the prosecutor over a phone call stating, “I should keep his name out of my mouth, or things are going to get a hell of a lot worse for me.” No date has been set for the man’s court appearance.
| Location: Portland, OR | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
July 17, 2024: Portland city commissioner and mayoral candidate Rene Gonzalez will be assigned additional security following a threat made against him. The threat was made via a social media post that depicted red crosshairs over Mr. Gonzalez with the words, “You can always clean up Portland by getting rid of Rene.” Law enforcement has opened an investigation into the threatening post.
| Location: Butler, PA | Tactic: Harassment | Venue: Communication Channels |
July 18, 2024: Butler city and county employees have received numerous threats in the days following the failed assassination attempt on Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump. Butler, PA Mayor Bob Dandoy said that while members of his staff have not received direct threats, he has been harassed by the same caller every day since the attack. Mr. Dandoy also stated that he and his staff had gotten calls from out of state. Most calls have been “insulting and mean” according to officials but some “more pointed” messages have resulted in investigations being opened by law enforcement.
| Location: Birmingham, AL | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
July 18, 2024: The Birmingham Police Department, in collaboration with federal agencies, has interrogated a man who threatened Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin in a Facebook post. The post featured photos of the man with guns and money, and a statement suggesting violence against Woodfin using a “Glock switch,” a device that allows a Glock pistol to function as an automatic weapon. The man has been released into his parents’ custody as they cooperate with the investigation. Possession or manufacture of these devices can result in up to 10 years in federal prison. The man’s identity has not been disclosed as no charges have been filed at this time.
| Location: Tees Valley, UK | Tactic: Verbal/Written Threat | Venue: Communication Channels |
July 21, 2024: The Conservative mayor of Tees Valley revealed he received severe death threats, including a threat of being cut up with a chainsaw. The mayor criticized the role of social media in fueling such abuse and stressed the need for stricter enforcement to protect politicians. Police are investigating the threats.
Community Leader
TorchStone did not discover any EP incidents impacting Community Leaders in July 2024.