A Michigan man has been arrested for threatening to kill Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
Michael Gary Petersen, 41, of Melvindale, Michigan, was arrested on July 16, 2026, and charged with making threats to kill ICE agents and other law enforcement officers, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. announced.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Jared Murphey, acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Detroit and acting Field Office Director Matthew Putra, Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations Detroit.
The criminal complaint charges Petersen with threatening to assault or murder a law enforcement officer, and interstate communications involving threats. Between January and July of 2026, Petersen posted a series of messages to his social media accounts in which he threatened law enforcement officers, as well as social media users, who opposed Petersen’s views.
He repeatedly encouraged his social media followers to shoot law enforcement officers in the face, admonishing others to “[n]ever trust officers. Death to them all.” Petersen warned his readers, “Wait till we start throwing grenades and start shooting armor piercing rounds at these agents.” On June 7, 2026, Petersen declared that the ICE Agent involved in the shooting of Renee Good “…can’t escape a bullet. It’s coming soon. Just wait. ;).” In response to a user who disagreed with Petersen, he replied, “I have a bullet with your name on it.”
Melvindale man charged after allegedly threatening to kill ICE agents in months-long online campaign https://t.co/nD3AF3IcBA
— The Midwesterner (@Th_Midwesterner) July 23, 2026
“Threats against law enforcement are an attack on the rule of law. These brave Americans protect us. And we will do our part to protect them,” said Gorgon.
I want to give a shout out to Homeland Security for arresting and charging a Michigan man, Michael Gary Petersen, for openly threatening and plotting to kill me and law enforcement 🙏🏼
— Nick shirley (@nickshirleyy) July 25, 2026
“Stop breathing otherwise I’ll do it for you”
The threats are real when you are exposing evil. pic.twitter.com/z3AvxWmPw3
A criminal complaint is only a charging document and is not evidence of guilt.
“Disagreement with laws is one thing but the allegations here involve threatening to shoot officers in the face and throw explosive devices,” said HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “We take these types of threats extremely seriously and HSI special agents will vigorously investigate these cases and bring them to justice.”
A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
“The men and women of ICE are enforcing the immigration laws of the land as passed by Congress,” said ICE ERO Detroit acting Field Office Director Matthew Putra. “For them to be allegedly targeted for simply doing their duty according to federal law is unconscionable.”
Homeland Security Investigations is investigating the case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eaton Brown.
