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PROVO — Three men and one woman were arrested this week in connection with alleged threats made against Provo police after officers shot and killed a man one week ago.
Investigators say the threats "caused fear and alarm" to residents and put police officers throughout Utah County on "high alert" for nearly a week.
Cody Evans, 24, of Springville, was shot to death by a Provo police officer and a Utah County sheriff's deputy Feb. 15 after pointing what they believed was an assault rifle at them, according to police. Investigators later determined Evans had two different pellet guns.
The subsequent death threats against officers were posted on social media sites and were reported to police by "concerned citizens," Provo police said in a prepared statement.
Investigators said they identified several people "who were reportedly involved, both directly and indirectly, in making these threats."
Michael Leon Angus, 27, of Provo, was arrested at work Friday and booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of threat of terrorism.
Police said they were notified the same day Evans was killed that Angus had posted online comments about the shooting death. Angus wrote: "To provo pd. Beware of c4 and dat 50cal … Im fed up yall killin my homies, im killing u! Rip cody, i love u homie," according to a police affidavit.
Angus also posted: "Anyone whos down to ride on these pigs lemme know asap. If not ill do it alone" and also wrote, "PPD WILL DIE," among other threats, the affidavit states.
Officers took the threats seriously.
"Multiple police agencies in Utah County have used a large amount of manpower and resources over the last six days to deal with the possibilities of these threats being carried out," officers wrote in the affidavit, adding that "C4 is an explosive that has the capability to cause mass casualties and substantial property damage."
Angus referred to a "Fletcher" in one of his posts, saying he wasn't going to "let this … slide" and asked if anyone was "down to ride" with him, according to the affidavit.
Police say Jacob Fletcher responded, "You know I am …"
Fletcher, 24, of Provo, was arrested Wednesday on multiple felony warrants. He was also booked into jail for investigation of possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and other charges. He was arrested at the summit of Spanish Fork Canyon.
Provo police called him "one of the main subjects making and responding to threats on social media."
Investigators learned through confidential sources that Brandon Stacy West, 22, of Orem, had attempted to purchase a firearm for a "homie" and said he had spoken about retaliation, according to the statement from Provo police.
West was located and booked into jail Tuesday for investigation of distribution of a controlled substance and probation violations.
Lindsey Parker, 25, of Orem, had been with Fletcher for several days and was aware he had outstanding warrants, police said. She was driving the car when she and Fletcher were arrested, and "admitted she knew Jacob was running from police," according to an affidavit. She was arrested for investigation of driving with a measurable controlled substance, obstruction of justice for allegedly harboring a fugitive, and possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
In their statement, Provo police said Angus "admitted that he had posted threatening comments about Provo police officers, but claimed he was just upset and did not intend to do anything."
Contributing: Sandra Yi
