Police are investigating after someone posted an online threat targeting the mayor of a Northern California city ahead of next week’s elections.
The Manteca Police Department said it became aware of threats directed at Democratic Mayor Gary Singh in a community Facebook group that suggested someone should shoot him.
The department said it immediately began investigating and that threatening violence against elected officials or others in the community will “not be tolerated.”
“The Manteca Police Department wants to be absolutely clear: Threats of violence against elected officials, community members, or anyone else will not be tolerated in our city,” the department said.
“Every person has the right to express their opinions, voice concerns, and disagree with elected leaders. However, there is a clear difference between expressing an opinion and threatening someone’s life.”
The identity of the suspect is not being released at this time, and the investigation is ongoing.
“Once the investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office for review and consideration of criminal charges,” the department said.
“Political disagreements should never escalate into threats, intimidation, or violence. This also includes vandalism, destruction, or burning of campaign signs, which may result in criminal charges,” police added.
“Our message to the community is simple: You have every right to disagree, but you do not have the right to threaten, intimidate, or harm others.”
A screenshot of the alleged threat was posted in the Downtown Manteca Facebook group.
“That Gary [Singh] is a piece of s***. Somebody just need to put a bullet right between his eyes, just a corrupt liar,” the message read.
It is unclear if that threat is the same being investigated by police. The California Post contacted the department for further comment.
Singh has been involved with local politics for more than a decade. He first served as the city’s planning commissioner in 2011 and then ran for city council five years later and won the mayor’s race in 2022. He is up for reelection in November.
His time in office has not been without controversy. The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office was recently notified of a possible election crime involving the mayor after he posted a social-media video featuring local chiropractor offering $50 off to people who vote for Singh in November.
The Manteca mayor said the $50 pitch was made spontaneously by the chiropractor and was not something Singh or his campaign had requested, funded or coordinated, according to KCRA.
During his 2022 mayoral campaign, political opponents accused Singh of a conflict of interest involving City Council votes connected to the Austin Road/Highway 99 interchange project.
The project was near land partially owned by Singh’s father.
The California Fair Political Practices Commission reviewed the complaint and formally dismissed the allegations in October 2023, concluding that no conflict of interest had occurred.
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