Ohio Man Charged for Threat Against VP Vance, Lawyer Cites Health Concerns

Shannon Mathre allegedly threatened to kill Vice President J.D. Vance, but his attorney claims his client's health makes it unlikely he could have carried out the threat.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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A 33-year-old Ohio man named Shannon Mathre has been charged with threatening to kill Vice President J.D. Vance. The charges stem from alleged threats Mathre made during Vance's visit to Ohio in January. Mathre's attorney stated his client's health, including 'some mental disabilities and a variety of other conditions,' makes it unlikely he could have carried out the threat.

Why it matters

This incident is part of a series of threats against Vice President Vance, highlighting the potential for escalating political rhetoric to manifest as real-world violence. Law enforcement and the justice system are responding with a robust effort to address these threats against public officials.

The details

According to the Department of Justice, Mathre allegedly stated he would locate Vice President Vance and 'use my M14 automatic gun and kill him.' Federal investigators seized Mathre's Samsung phone on January 21 as part of their investigation, which extended beyond the initial online threat to examine his actions and behavior.

  • Mathre allegedly made the threat during Vance's visit to Ohio in January.
  • Federal investigators seized Mathre's phone on January 21 as part of their investigation.

The players

Shannon Mathre

A 33-year-old Ohio man who has been charged with threatening to kill Vice President J.D. Vance.

J.D. Vance

The current Vice President of the United States.

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What they’re saying

“Our attorneys are vigorously prosecuting this disgusting threat against Vice President Vance. You can hide behind a screen, but you cannot hide from this Department of Justice.”

— Pam Bondi, Attorney General

“Hostile and violent threats against public officials will not be tolerated.”

— David M. Toepfer, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio

What’s next

Mathre appeared in court on Friday and is scheduled to return on Wednesday for a hearing to determine whether he will remain in custody.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of addressing threats against public officials, as well as the need for a robust response from law enforcement and the justice system to prevent such threats from escalating into real-world violence.