Arrest Made After Man Reportedly Threatened To Kill Muslims At Miami Gardens Mosque
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A man is accused of posting several messages on social media threatening to kill Muslims at a mosque in Miami Gardens.
Miami Gardens Police arrested 27-year-old Brandyn Luis Hernandez on Monday. He was charged with sending written threats to kill or do bodily harm and assault with prejudice.
During a hearing Monday, his bond was set at $7,500.
Police began investigating the Florida Memorial University student after learning of the cyber terroristic threats. Investigators say Hernandez posted multiple messages on social media, threatening the Islamic Center of Greater Miami.
Most of those posts have since been removed.
According to a release from Miami Gardens police, he used expletives, threatened arson, and said he wanted to kill Muslims quote— one by one.
In one post still on his Facebook page, he writes "(expletive) the Muslim who stole my phone" and referenced the mosque.
"I'm going to have your hand with no trial, no due process. Try me," he posted.
"One by one Im (sic) going to destroy you with my bare hands," he posted.
"Let me find out yo (expletive) own a corner store, Im (sic) going to burn that (expletive) to the ground and watch it burn," he wrote in another post.
Hernandez has recently been attending the mosque and taking part in their communal dinners during the month of Ramadan.
"It was very surprising to us knowing the fact that this young man was coming here during the Ramadan almost every day to get food. He was being served here," said Abdul Rashid, a board member of the mosque.
Rashid added that people of all faiths should be concerned because of these recent attacks on spirituality.
"Churches of been attacked, synagogues have been attacked, mosques have been under threat all over the world," he said.
If Hernandez is released from jail, he's been ordered to stay away from the mosque.
Rashid says they've already tightened up security for Ramadan and have officers at on site.
