The man, identified as Paul Gavenonis, reportedly expressed a desire to harm Trump and complained about the difficulty of getting a firearm through security at an upcoming rally for the Republican presidential nominee on Oct. 26. (Related: Hit job cover-up? Secret Service had NO RADIOS operating with local police the day of Trump assassination attempt.)
According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, Gavenonis, a registered Democrat and known gun owner, purchased a parking pass at the university transportation office on Oct. 25. Gavenonis reportedly said, "You can't take a gun in or the students will see it." The staff member processing the parking pass was alarmed by the comment and subsequently contacted the police.
A detective also reported that Gavenonis made a "racking gun motion" with his hands and declared, "I hate Donald Trump. I'd like to shoot that guy." The statements prompted swift action from university police and the Secret Service, who interviewed Gavenonis that same day at the Pattee Library. During the questioning, Gavenonis admitted that he had "probably" made statements about wanting to shoot the former president if given the chance and expressed hope that "somebody would get him."
Gavenonis now faces misdemeanor charges, including making terroristic threats and disorderly conduct. District Judge Steven Lachman denied bail at Gavenonis' arraignment that night, which led to his detention at the Center County Correctional Facility.
Trump experienced multiple assassination attempts during his 2024 presidential campaign
This latest news follows two attempts on the candidate's life since the summer.
First, a July shooting at another Pennsylvania rally that grazed Trump's ear and tragically took the life of attendee Corey Comperatore. Authorities identified the perpetrator as Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was ultimately shot and killed by law enforcement on the scene.
The other incident only took months later in an unrelated event wherein a man identified as Ryan Routh was apprehended while attempting to access Trump's West Palm Beach golf course and carrying a concealed weapon. Reports suggest that Routh, once a Trump supporter, had become disillusioned and in a now-deleted post on X, expressed hostility toward the former president.
"I will be glad when you gone [sic]," Routh wrote on his official X account. The quick response by security personnel prevented any immediate danger, but the incident highlights the complexity of safeguarding Trump against potential threats from former supporters.
Check out Trump.news for more stories about the assassination attempts on the former president.
Watch Sen. Ron Johnson grilling Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe on his agency's lapses during the first Trump assassination attempt.
This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.
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