Man Arrested After Facebook Commenter Threatens Machine Gun Violence At SoCal Hanukkah Event

THOUSAND OAKS, CA — Just before a large Hanukkah celebration in Southern California, a Facebook user sent a series of alarming messages, alleging that people would unload machine guns at the gathering, authorities said.

While the Chabad of Thousand Oaks' 25th annual Hanukkah Family Festival took place without incident, days later, two shooters opened fire at a Hanukkah event in Australia, killing 16 people. It was the deadliest antisemitic attack in the country's history.

Rabbi Chaim Bryski, who leads the Ventura County event, told the Los Angeles Times that authorities took the threat very seriously.

Police identified the Facebook commenter as 61-year-old Glenn Benson, of Onarga, Ill., according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Department.

He was indicted on charges of interstate communications with a threat to injure on Jan. 6, the department said. On Jan. 8, he was arrested and was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.

"Out of an abundance of caution, the Thousand Oaks Police Department was at the Hannukah event to ensure the safety and security of those attending," Detective Sergeant Dillan Alvarez wrote in a statement.

"The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office treats all threats to public safety seriously, and we will protect the safety of our community by conducting thorough investigations into any credible threat of harm."

Bryski told the Times that Thousand Oaks Police Chief Jeremy Paris called him personally on Dec. 11 that authorities had identified the suspect and that the FBI was monitoring him.

“It’s a reflection of local police departments taking something very seriously, and that sends a powerful message,” Bryski told the newspaper.

Three days later, the massacre in Bondi, Australia unfolded and Bryski said he found out that the brother of the co-director of the Chabad of Bakersfield had been killed. And the son of a close friend of Bryski's wife had also been fatally shot.

“The tragedy in Sydney hit very close to home,” Bryski said, according to the Times. “It’s a very close-knit community Chabad.”