Michigan Teen Who Threatened CNN Also Menaced Local Islamic Center

By Allie Gross, Detroit Free Press

23 January 18

Novi man was arrested last week and now faces federal criminal charges following an FBI investigation alleging that he called CNN headquarters multiple times with threats to "gun down" employees of the network for producing "fake news."

According to a criminal complaint unsealed Friday in U.S. District Court, on Jan. 9, Brandon Griesemer allegedly called a publicly listed contact for CNN. When the operator answered he said, "Fake news. I'm coming to gun you all down."

Three minutes later Griesemer, 19, allegedly called back and started making disparaging comments about the network.

"I am on my way right now to gun the (expletive) CNN cast down," he said.

After hanging up a second time, Griesemer allegedly called back a third time.

"I'm coming for you CNN. I am smarter than you. More powerful than you. I have more guns than you. More manpower. Your cast is about to get gunned down in a matter of hours," he allegedly said.

The following day, Griesemer allegedly called back a fourth time, at which point court documents state that he made disparaging comments about Jewish people, and told the operator that he had a gun and was coming for Georgia.

While the court documents detail four calls in which specific threats were made, it is estimated that Griesemer called the station 22 times over the course of Jan. 9-10.

Griesemer, a part-time grocery worker, was arrested on Friday, and released on a $10,000 unsecured bond. He has been charged with interstate communications with intent to extort — threat to injure. His preliminary examination is set for Feb. 9 and is represented by a public defender.

The network released a statement about the threats on Monday night, stating: “We take any threats to CNN employees or workplaces, around the world, extremely seriously. This one is no exception. We have been in touch with local and federal law enforcement throughout, and have taken all necessary measures to ensure the safety of our people.”

In September 2017, Griesemer admitted to Ann Arbor police officers that he been the person behind a vitriolic call to a local Islamic Center. Two days before his confession, the center reported a caller who had made derogatory comments about Muslims and the mosque.

The number used for that call is the same number that was used to call CNN.