On August 22, 2024, a 66-year-old man from Benson, Arizona, Ronald Lee Syvrud, was arrested by Arizona authorities. The arrest came after Syvrud allegedly made death threats against former President Donald Trump on social media platforms. The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office initiated a manhunt and apprehended Syvrud during a routine traffic stop.
The arrest transpired on the same day Trump was in Cochise County, Arizona, delivering a speech near the U.S.-Mexico border as part of his 2024 campaign. The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office noted that Syvrud had issued threats against Trump on social media in the past week. While the specifics of the threats were not revealed, law enforcement treated them with utmost seriousness, adhering to a strict policy of zero tolerance against threats toward public officials.
Syvrud, who had been successfully eluding authorities for some time, was wanted on several charges in both Arizona and Wisconsin. His outstanding warrants included driving under the influence, failure to appear in court, hit-and-run, and failure to register as a sex offender. Syvrud was identified by the Sheriff’s office as an “investigative lead for threats to kill a presidential candidate,” making his capture a high priority ahead of Trump’s border visit.
Attempts to locate Syvrud initially began on Wednesday evening at his residence but were unsuccessful. The manhunt persisted into Thursday morning, eventually resulting in his arrest without any major incidents.
In light of recent events, including an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally six weeks prior, security measures for Trump’s event were notably increased. More Secret Service personnel and local law enforcement officials were present to ensure the former President’s safety.
Despite not being briefed about the specifics of Syvrud’s case prior to his visit, Trump recognized that threats are a commonplace part of his existence now.
Currently, Syvrud is being held in custody, facing multiple charges that include threatening a presidential candidate. All his previous charges across various states will also be addressed in court.