Man arrested for alleged violent threats against Arizona governor, school children
A man has been charged with making terrorist threats after he allegedly threatened to kill Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs and her family and allegedly threatened to run over children, according to a probable cause statement.
Daniel Lamb, 40, was arrested on Saturday after investigators allegedly recovered emails making "direct threats" to Hobbs and "threats of impending mass violence with the use of a vehicle," according to the court document.
In the document, investigators allege "concerning messages" allegedly sent by Lamb.
According to the court document, Lamb allegedly said, "I could not help but notice a playground full of kids playing [at BASIS Chandler Primary North school] behind a pretty flimsy barrier."
An email dated Sept. 18 said, "If you don't arrest me this weekend, I swear on my life that I will use my car to kill as many people as possible next week," according to the court document.
Lamb allegedly wrote in an email that the "only thing that stopped him from killing children was that he was a good man," according to the court document.
Lamb also allegedly threatened politicians, and specifically Gov. Hobbs, according to court documents.
On Sept. 18, Lamb allegedly wrote, "I plan on tracking down AZ Gov. Katie Hobbs, who I actually like, and stabbing her and her family to death on, well, let's say Thanksgiving, because of how much I hate America and my fellow Americans," according to court documents.
He also allegedly wrote, "I plan on killing every politician in the country, their kids and grandkids," according to the document.
Attorney information for Lamb was not immediately available.
Lamb's mother said her son suffered from mental health issues for about 18 years, and she said Lamb "believes he is possessed by 'child killers,'" according to court documents.
Officials at BASIS Chandler Primary North -- the school named in the threat -- said the suspect has no affiliation with the school.
"Any situation involving threats is deeply concerning," school officials said in a statement, adding, "we remain in contact with law enforcement."
"Upon becoming aware of the matter ... BASIS Chandler Primary North promptly notified families and staff," school officials said. "The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority. We are grateful for the actions of the Chandler Police Department and for their ongoing communication with the school. We will continue to keep our community informed should we receive any additional information that impacts the school."
Hobbs' office did not respond to a request for comment.
Lamb has a status conference set for Friday and a preliminary hearing set for Sept. 29.
