A Texas man has been charged in federal court for threatening Dr. Leana Wen over her support of the COVID-19 vaccine, CBS Baltimore reports.
Dr. Wen previously served as the Baltimore Health Commissioner. Now she works as a medical analyst on CNN. She has spoken about her support for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Scott Eli Harris, 51, of Aubrey, Texas, allegedly threatened Dr. Wen because she supported the vaccine. The Justice Department arrested Harris on Tuesday after the indictment against him was unsealed, NBC News reports.
Harris allegedly sent Dr. Wen a message on July 12, threatening to shoot her and stating he would “never take” her “wonder drug.”
“I’m a 5th general U.S. Army veteran and a sniper..” the messages allegedly state. “I can’t wait for the shooting to start.. I hope you are ready.. [Expletive].. where’s your [expletive] office?”
The messages also allegedly referenced Wen’s gender and ethnicity, CBS Baltimore reports.
NBC News says Dr. Wen was not available for comment.
Harris is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Wednesday, Oct. 13 in U.S. District Court in Plano, Texas.
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