Larry Bushart Jr., a 61-year-old former police officer from Tennessee, was arrested and charged with making threats of mass violence against a school after posting a controversial meme in a Facebook group.
The Facebook group, made up of Perry County residents, was organizing a vigil to honor conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was recently assassinated on a college campus. During this time, Bushart posted a meme featuring former President Donald Trump with the quote:
“‘We have to get over it.’ – Donald Trump, on the Perry High School mass shooting one day after.”
Although the meme referenced a 2024 school shooting in Perry, Iowa, members of the group interpreted it as a potential threat to Perry County High School in Tennessee.
Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems told The Tennessean that investigators believe Bushart was aware of the fear his post would cause and acted deliberately to stir panic.
He was arrested early Monday and is currently held on bond at the Perry County Sheriff’s Office in Lexington. He faces charges related to making threats of mass violence on school property and during school-related activities.
In a statement, the sheriff’s office emphasized that all school threats are taken seriously, saying:
“Creating mass hysteria in our community will not be tolerated.”
Weems also noted that Bushart had shared other “hate memes” related to Kirk’s assassination, but clarified those did not violate laws and were protected under free speech.
Bushart’s arrest is one of several incidents following Kirk’s death. Other individuals across multiple states have faced arrest or consequences for disrespectful actions or comments, including vandalism of memorials and threatening behavior.
Kirk, the co-founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent conservative figure, was fatally shot while speaking at a college event. The suspect is currently in custody and charged with aggravated murder and other crimes.
