Ohio Man Charged With Threatening to Kill Vice President Vance

Authorities also found child sex abuse materials on the suspect's phone during investigation.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 33-year-old Ohio man named Shannon Mathre has been charged with threatening to shoot and kill Vice President JD Vance. During the investigation into the threat, law enforcement officials also discovered child sexual abuse materials on Mathre's phone.

Why it matters

Threats against high-ranking government officials are taken extremely seriously by law enforcement, as they pose a potential risk to public safety and national security. The discovery of child pornography also adds an additional layer of severity to the case.

The details

According to the indictment, on January 21st Mathre stated he was going to "find Mr. Vance and 'use my M14 automatic gun and kill him.'" It's unclear how authorities became aware of the threat. Mathre was arrested on Friday and is being held until a detention hearing on Wednesday.

  • On January 21, Mathre allegedly made the threat against Vice President Vance.
  • Mathre was arrested on Friday, February 7, 2026.

The players

Shannon Mathre

A 33-year-old man from Toledo, Ohio who has been charged with threatening to kill Vice President JD Vance and possession of child pornography.

JD Vance

The current Vice President of the United States.

Pamela Bondi

The Attorney General who stated the Department of Justice is "vigorously prosecuting this disgusting threat against Vice President Vance."

Neil S. McElroy

The lawyer representing Shannon Mathre, who said the charge against his client "may buttress the administration's narrative regarding threats of violence" but is "a farce" as it relates to Mathre's conduct.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“You can hide behind a screen, but you cannot hide from this Department of Justice.”

— Pamela Bondi, Attorney General (nytimes.com)

“As to the first count, while the charge against Mr. Mathre may buttress the administration's narrative regarding threats of violence aimed at members of the administration, this particular charge — as it relates to Mr. Mathre and his conduct — is a farce.”

— Neil S. McElroy, Lawyer representing Shannon Mathre (nytimes.com)

What’s next

Mathre will have a detention hearing on Wednesday to determine if he will be released on bail pending trial.

The takeaway

This case highlights the serious nature of threats against government officials and the additional severity when such threats are accompanied by the possession of child pornography. It also raises questions about the political motivations behind such threats and how they are perceived by the public.