Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) workers were compelled to momentarily halt their relief operations over the weekend due to reports of armed militia groups allegedly "hunting" aid workers.
This unsettling development was confirmed by Ashe County Sheriff Phil Howell in a statement released on Sunday.
According to The Blaze, an email detailing the threats was obtained by The Washington Post. The email read, "FEMA has advised all federal responders Rutherford County, N.C., to stand down and evacuate the county immediately. The message stated that National Guard troops had come across x2 trucks of armed militia saying there were out hunting FEMA.'" This alarming message prompted a swift response from law enforcement agencies.
However, the subsequent investigation found no evidence to substantiate the claims of armed militia groups targeting FEMA workers. Instead, the investigation led to the arrest of a single individual. By Sunday, FEMA personnel had resumed their regular operations, as reported by The Washington Post.
The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office announced on Monday that officers had apprehended 44-year-old William Parsons of Bostic. He was charged with "going armed to the terror of the public," as per ABC News. The arrest followed reports of a man threatening to harm FEMA employees in the area. Upon investigation, Parsons was found in possession of a rifle and a handgun.
The sheriff's statement clarified, The initial report stated there was a truckload of militia that was involved. However, after further investigation, it was determined Parsons acted alone and there were no truckloads of militia going to Lake Lure." This revelation underscores the importance of thorough investigation in such sensitive matters.
FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell, during a media briefing, emphasized the agency's commitment to the safety of its workers. She stated, "We continuously monitor the social media, channels, other outlets where we're seeing this information, because we want to make sure we're providing for the safest environment for our employees, and making sure that they know that their safety is first and foremost for us as they go out into these communities." This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by aid workers, even as they strive to provide relief in times of crisis.
Login