FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - A man was arrested for allegedly sending social media threats targeting a relative of the one of the victims of the Parkland shooting, just days before the seven-year anniversary of the massacre, police said.
Twenty-seven-year-old Bryan Sajous is accused of writing menacing messages to Hunter Pollack, brother of Meadow Pollack, who lost her life when gunman Nikolas Cruz opened fire with an AR-15 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, killing 17 people including students and staff.
According to prosecutors, the alleged intimidation and online stalking has been happening for several years.
“My family has been the victims of a terrible tragedy in Parkland. I lost my sister to gun violence,” said Hunter. “To be receiving threats and unsolicited message from someone [saying] that he was going to kill me and put me with my sister is very concerning.”
Sajous is accused of using various social media accounts to convey his threats, writing things like, “You’re gonna die,” “I’mma kill you” and even “I send you to your dead sister.”
Meadow was a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas when she was killed in the massacre. Ger father and brother were immediately outspoken.
“I’m not going to let my daughter’s death go in vain,” said her father, Andrew Pollack.
“We both have the same personality; we’re both ambitious,” said Hunter.
During the bond court hearing, Hunter spoke, expressing fears for him and his family’s life.
“I feel very threatened, and not only do I need to protect myself, but I do need to protect my family,” said Hunter. “I know my father was tagged in some of the posts that he put online. Over the last few years, he’s made multiple accounts and reached out.”
Hunter’s attorney, Eric Schwartzreich, said Sajous should remain behind bars.
“It’s scary, it’s concerning, and Hunter is not only scared for himself, he’s scared for his father and his mother, his whole family.”
Sajous is charged with one count of aggravated stalking after injunction for protection and one count of intimidation — write, send threat to kill or injure.
Sajous has a bond of $500,000 for each count and needs to be fitted with an ankle monitor as well.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.