KERR COUNTY, Texas — Deputies have arrested a 28-year-old Texas man after he threatened to carry out a mass shooting at a Walmart, Kerr County sheriff’s deputies said Sunday.
Authorities on Friday arrested Coleman Thomas Blevins, of Kerrville, on suspicion of making a terroristic threat.
Officials said the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office’s Special Operations Division intercepted a message Thursday which indicated that Blevins “was preparing to proceed with a mass shooting.”
“This case reminds us that we need to always be vigilant,” Sheriff Larry Leitha said Sunday in a statement. “Many think, ‘that can’t happen here,’ and it was well on the way to happening. Our investigators did outstanding work in this case, and possibly saved many lives. The plot interrupted in this case is unthinkable.”
“In the message, Mr. Blevins made a specific threat that included Walmart,” sheriff’s deputies said in a news release. “Working with the FBI, KCSO investigators confirmed Mr. Blevins’ capability of following through with the threat and moved to immediately arrest him.”
During a search of Blevins’ home in the 200 block of Spence Street, authorities said they seized “firearms, ammunition, electronic evidence, concentrated THC and radical ideology paraphernalia, including books, flags and handwritten documents.”
Blevins was on felony probation at the time of his arrest and prohibited from possessing firearms, according to sheriff’s deputies. He was booked into Kerr County Jail on a $250,000 bond. Records showed he remained jailed Monday morning.
Authorities continue to investigate. Deputies said the FBI and other federal authorities could seek additional charges against Blevins.
“We appreciate the assistance of all our law enforcement partners, including the FBI, (Texas Department of Public Safety), (Kerrville Police Department) and Secret Service,” Leitha said Sunday. “We’d like to remind the public -- if you see something, say something. The KCSO, working with other law enforcement professionals, will continue to stop threats to our community, and bring those responsible to prosecution.”