FBI Director Kash Patel revealed that swift federal intervention stopped a racially motivated threat to massacre Black preschool children, showcasing how Trump’s administration prioritizes protecting our most vulnerable citizens from hate-fueled violence.
Story Highlights
- 25-year-old Zachary Newell posted explicit threats on YouTube to “shoot up” a preschool and harm 20 Black children
- Google reported the threats to FBI within days, leading to rapid arrest and federal charges
- FBI Director Patel condemned the threats as “unacceptable acts of cowardice” while praising interagency cooperation
- Swift law enforcement response prevented potential tragedy and demonstrates effective digital threat monitoring
Federal Charges Filed Against YouTube Threat Maker
Zachary Charles Newell, 25, of Newport, North Carolina, faces federal charges after posting violent, racially motivated threats on YouTube targeting Black preschool children. Between August 26-27, 2025, Newell used the username “CommentatorsHateMe” to post increasingly explicit threats, culminating in a declaration of intent to “shoot up” a preschool and harm 20 Black children. Federal prosecutors filed interstate threat charges in the Eastern District of North Carolina following his September 1 arrest.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) September 4, 2025
The case demonstrates how digital platforms have become venues for hate crimes and threats against vulnerable populations. Newell’s explicit racial targeting of preschool children represents a particularly disturbing escalation of online hate speech into credible threats of mass violence. His posts were specific enough in their violent intent that Google deemed them reportable to federal authorities within days of publication.
Rapid Response Prevents Potential Massacre
Google reported Newell’s threatening posts to the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center on August 31, just days after they appeared online. The FBI immediately coordinated with the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office, which executed Newell’s arrest at his home on September 1. Authorities also conducted a search warrant at his residence, though officials have not disclosed what evidence was recovered during the investigation.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the swift interagency response and emphasized the federal government’s commitment to protecting children from such threats. Sheriff Asa Buck condemned Newell’s posts as “violent, hateful and shocking to the conscience,” while assuring parents there is no ongoing threat to local schools or the community. The rapid coordination between federal and local authorities demonstrates effective law enforcement cooperation under the Trump administration.
Community Safety and Digital Surveillance Success
The incident highlights both the growing threat of online radicalization and the effectiveness of digital monitoring systems in preventing real-world violence. Tech companies like Google have developed protocols for identifying and reporting credible threats to authorities, creating a crucial partnership between private platforms and law enforcement agencies. This case shows how proper surveillance and reporting mechanisms can stop potential tragedies before they occur.
Local officials have reassured parents and school administrators that enhanced security measures remain in place, though they emphasize no specific preschool was targeted in Newell’s threats. The successful intervention demonstrates how effective law enforcement has become at identifying and neutralizing online threats before they translate into real-world violence, particularly when those threats target innocent children based on race.
Sources:
Patel says FBI stopped potential preschool massacre: ‘Unacceptable acts of cowardice’
Deputies charge Newport man with making threat against preschool after FBI tip
Newport man arrested for threat against preschool; FBI, local authorities respond quickly
