Who is Shannon Depararro Atkin? Florida Man Faces 15 Years in Prison for Threatening to Kill Trump

The United States has a long history of political discourse, but when that discourse crosses into violent threats, it becomes a matter of national security. One such incident recently occurred in Florida, where a man named Shannon Depararro Atkins was arrested for allegedly making violent threats against President Donald Trump. This case is a striking reminder of the growing concerns around political violence and the misuse of social media platforms to spread such rhetoric.

Shannon Depararro Atkins, 46, was arrested for allegedly making “violent” threats against President Trump.

Who is Shannon Depararro Atkins?

Shannon Depararro Atkins, 46, is a resident of West Palm Beach, Florida.

According to public records, he is the owner of "Big Mama’s House of Sweets," a small baked goods shop in the area. Atkins has reportedly been a registered Democrat since at least 2008, reflecting a history of political affiliation. However, his political views and personal frustrations seem to have escalated into a dangerous arena in recent months, culminating in a series of social media posts that prompted law enforcement action.

Atkins was arrested on January 24, 2025, following a traffic stop in West Palm Beach. During his arrest, police found three baggies of cocaine in his pocket, leading to drug possession charges in addition to those related to his threats.

His arrest highlights not only the legal consequences of making threats but also raises questions about the broader societal tensions that lead individuals to such extreme actions.

The Threats Against President Trump

Atkins is currently being held at the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Main Detention Center and faces several charges

Authorities were alerted to Atkins' activities on January 19, when a tip to law enforcement highlighted several alarming posts he had made on social media. These posts targeted President Trump, who was preparing for his second-term inauguration on January 20, 2025. In one particularly disturbing post, Atkins wrote, “America needs one good bullet to be saved,” an apparent reference to an assassination attempt against Trump.

Just hours later, after being banned from Elon Musk’s social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Atkins vented his frustrations on Facebook. He reportedly wrote, “I’ve been banned from ‘X’ because I said I hope and pray someone kills him. History is supposed to repeat itself. We haven’t had an assassination in years.” In another post, he shared an image calling inauguration day a “day of mourning,” accompanied by the words “Bullets please. Please Jesus! Save America.”

Atkins' posts did not stop there. On the day of his arrest, he reposted a meme depicting President Trump with his late ex-wife Ivana Trump. The caption read, “I hope they get back together soon,” implying a wish for Trump’s death. He added a row of smiling emojis to the post, further fueling concerns about his intentions.

When confronted by law enforcement, Atkins admitted to making the posts but claimed they were meant as jokes. However, West Palm Beach Police Chief Tony Araujo refuted this defense during a press conference, stating, “Folks, this is not a joke. Nothing of that sort is a joke. In today’s climate, you really can’t say things like this. We have incident after incident, example after example of when these threats become real. And we take these very seriously.”

A Growing Pattern of Threats

Atkins’ arrest is not an isolated incident. Over the years, threats against high-profile political figures, including President Trump, have become alarmingly common. Such incidents underscore the dangerous intersection of political polarization and social media, where individuals can broadcast their grievances and extremist views to a wide audience.

Assassination Attempts on Trump

President Trump has survived multiple assassination attempts during his political career. In July 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a gunman opened fire. A bullet grazed Trump’s ear, and another struck an audience member, who tragically died. The assailant, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by Secret Service agents on the scene. This event marked one of the most high-profile attacks against a presidential candidate in recent history.

Another attempt occurred in September 2024 at Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach. A suspect, later identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, was apprehended while aiming a rifle at the President. Fortunately, the Secret Service acted quickly to neutralize the threat before any shots were fired.

International plots have also targeted Trump. In August 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice revealed that an Iranian national had been involved in planning an assassination attempt against Trump, reportedly in retaliation for the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in 2020. This plot further demonstrated the global nature of threats facing U.S. leaders.

Learn more: Lonely Life of Thomas Matthew Crooks, Trump Shooter

Online Rhetoric and Its Dangers

The rise of social media has made it easier than ever for individuals to share their opinions, but it has also created a platform for extremist rhetoric. Cases like Atkins’ highlight how quickly harmful messages can spread online and how they can escalate into real-world violence. Chief Araujo’s remarks about the seriousness of such threats underscore the importance of monitoring and addressing dangerous speech on social media.

Legal Implications

Threats against the President is a serious offense

Shannon Depararro Atkins faces significant legal consequences for his actions. He has been charged with written or electronic threats to kill, do bodily injury, or conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism—a second-degree felony under Florida law. This charge alone carries a potential prison sentence of up to 15 years.

Additionally, Atkins faces drug possession charges after cocaine was found in his possession during his arrest. He is currently being held at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Main Detention Center, and the Secret Service is reportedly considering federal charges related to his threats against Trump.

The Broader Issue of Political Violence

The case of Shannon Depararro Atkins is part of a troubling trend of political violence and hostility in the United States. As political polarization intensifies, threats and acts of violence against public officials have become more frequent. The FBI and other agencies have noted a rise in domestic extremism, with individuals and groups targeting politicians, election officials, and even private citizens over political grievances.

This climate of hostility poses a significant threat to democracy. When individuals resort to violence or threats to express their dissatisfaction, it undermines the principles of peaceful discourse and debate that are central to the democratic process.

Conclusion

Shannon Depararro Atkins’ arrest serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by violent rhetoric and political extremism. While social media platforms have given individuals unprecedented freedom to share their thoughts, this freedom comes with responsibility. Threats, whether made in jest or in earnest, have real-world consequences, both for those who make them and for the society they target.

As law enforcement agencies continue to address the growing issue of threats against public officials, the case of Atkins highlights the need for vigilance, accountability, and a renewed commitment to peaceful political engagement. The safety of leaders like President Trump—and the stability of democratic institutions—depends on the collective efforts of citizens, lawmakers, and law enforcement to reject violence and uphold the rule of law.

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