On October 14, CNN reported that the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina has arrested a man for threatening to harm federal emergency management officials responding to Hurricane Helene. The 44-year-old suspect, William Parsons, faces charges of “carrying a weapon to intimidate the public.”
Sheriff Jaime Keefer announced the arrest, stating that the local sheriff’s office had received a call on October 12 regarding a man who expressed he “might harm the FEMA personnel” who were in the area conducting disaster relief efforts following the hurricane’s impact.
Authorities received tip-offs later that day regarding Parsons’ vehicle description, which led them to locate him in a car parked outside a grocery store designated as a disaster relief site. Sheriff Keefer reported that when officers arrested Parsons, he was found in possession of a handgun and a rifle.
“In confirming the arrest, we determined that Parsons acted alone,” Keefer added. Following his arrest, Parsons was released after posting a $10,000 bond.
However, the threat has since resulted in the temporary closure of several FEMA offices. Aid efforts in communities affected by Hurricane Helene have also been suspended due to Parsons’ threats.
Rutherford County, located southeast of the severely impacted Asheville area, has experienced deadly flooding and landslides. In total, over 100 individuals have lost their lives in North Carolina due to Hurricane Helene, with thousands more actively engaged in recovery efforts.
