The Dallas Express last week received a series of threats against its staff and their family members.
Data suggests that the death threats made on November 12 came from a DFW-based man named Mr. Chris Reader.
Reader may have had political motivations for the violent threats he allegedly made against the newspaper, publicly available data suggest.
A review of publicly available comments ostensibly from Reader indicate his views and a potential pathway to radicalization. Those comments and expressions include specific partisan political leanings, a hatred for former President Donald Trump, and an indication that those individuals who question the efficacy of the COVID vaccine are, according to him, spreaders of “misinformation.”
A Facebook page likely associated with Reader displays a banner that reads, “Disinformation is Deadly, Vaccines Save Lives.”
According to FEC records, Reader and members of his family are frequent donors to Democratic candidates in the state of Texas.
Below are some of the vulgar and violent threats made against persons associated with The Dallas Express.
“How badly do you want someone to hunt and slaughter you and your family?” Reader allegedly asked over email.
“You better protect your family with armed guards,” one threat read. Another message asked, “I wonder where your children sleep. What would you do if someone found out? Do you feel safe? Do you think they are safe?”
“You are going to die,” another email threatened, adding, “Your children, and all of those you hold dear, will die.”
Responding to an article identifying a rise in particular Dallas crime statistics, an email promised, “If you want to see an increase in crime: wait for me on Christmas Eve! If I don’t catch you and your beautiful family, maybe I’ll see y’all on New Year’s Day. Maybe on Valentine’s Day.”
A further email also appeared to make a broad-based threat against the publication’s entire staff, referencing an “armed shooter” coming to the office building floor on which its employees work.
Replying to a different newsletter reporting on a parolee who recently shot two hospital employees in Dallas, an email read, “I wonder how you would handle a violent parolee with a gun in your building … would it be more concerning if an armed shooter was on [your] floor?”
A police investigation is ongoing.
The Dallas Express takes threats against the free press seriously and will never turn away from reporting on serious issues with a fact-based, non-partisan perspective.