A Jefferson County man was in court today after police arrested him on suspicion of sending a graphic, threatening Facebook message to Republican Colorado Sen. Laura Woods of Arvada.
“Since your [sic] a Republican and love guns so much than [sic] maybe we should shoot you and that Ugly ass family of yours straight in the face,” the message read in part. The email, allegedly sent by 21-year-old Dylan Hopkins, also included a line saying he would “grant you and your family a Bullet straight to the head.”
Hopkins lives with his parents in Woods’ district, according to media reports. He was scheduled for two court appearances today, but the second was postponed until Oct. 12.
The official charge is “Harassment — Telephone Computer Text,” according to records at the Jefferson County jail.
During an advisement hearing Monday morning, a judge granted a $1,000 bond for Hopkins and issued a protective order barring him from communicating with the lawmaker.
Judge issues protective order for @SenLauraWoods to Dylan Hopkins, charged w threat to shoot her #coleg #copolitics pic.twitter.com/k2yiQbn4EJ
— Ernest Lee Luning (@eluning) September 19, 2016
That order reportedly extends beyond just contact with Woods.
The court imposed a protective order for Sen. Woods against Hopkins & monitored sobriety. He seemed alert in jail. #coleg #9news
— Brandon Rittiman (@BrandonRittiman) September 19, 2016
His mother told media he will lose internet privileges.
Dylan Hopkins won't be back in court until Oct. But when he gets home tonight, mom says he's losing cable, internet, & smartphone. #9news
— Brandon Rittiman (@BrandonRittiman) September 19, 2016
Woods is in a tight re-election campaign in a battleground district in a year when one state Senate seat could change the balance of power in the Republican-controlled state Senate.
Related: Zenzinger v. Woods state Senate race heats up
She spoke with Denver’s ABC affiliate about the Facebook post.
“[It] terrified me to think of one of the elementary or middle school kids that comes with their parent to help us knock on doors, showing up at the wrong door,” Woods told the station.
Woods told media she planned to press charges, and said she was in a town hall meeting when she first saw the message.
“Police were able to contact Hopkins who eventually admitted he had sent the Facebook message because he was upset about the upcoming election,” The Associated Press reported.
“The Secret Service is also investigating Hopkins for a social media post about the possibility of shooting GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump,” according to The Colorado Statesman.
Hopkins’ family members spoke to 9News in Denver.
She declined to speak on camera, but Hopkins' mom told us she wants him to write apology tonight to Sen. Woods & community. #9news #coleg
— Brandon Rittiman (@BrandonRittiman) September 19, 2016
Also, Hopkins' mom says despite Facebook threat of shooting, the 21-year-old doesn't have any guns. No guns in their house. #9News #coleg
— Brandon Rittiman (@BrandonRittiman) September 19, 2016
This isn’t the first time police in Colorado have arrested someone for making death threats against a lawmaker. In 2013, a 42-year-old man was arrested after police said he made email and voicemail threats to Democratic Rep. Rhonda Fields of Denver over legislation to restrict the amount of bullets a gun magazine could hold. Democratic Rep. Joe Salazar also received death threats over the same legislation.
