Maryland Bill Would Make Mass Threats a Felony

Bill introduced in the wake of two highly publicized violent threats in the state

A Maryland House panel will consider a bill that would make threatening to commit an act of mass violence a felony.

Prince George's County State's Attorney Angela Alsobrooks will testify Wednesday in support of the measure during the House Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday.

Alsobrooks lobbied legislators to introduce the bill in the wake of two highly publicized violent threats, saying they had sparked her support.

The first came in March 2012, when Alexander Song, then a student at the University of Maryland, apparently threatened to go on a shooting rampage at the College Park campus.

Authorities say Song posted an online comment that read, "I will be on a shooting rampage tomorrow on campus... hopefully I kill enough people to make it to national news... stay away from the mall tomorrow at 1:30."

Then, in July, Anne Arundel County resident Neil Prescott was accused of threatening to blow up his former workplace. Police recovered about two dozen weapons (pictured) and ammunition in his Crofton, Md. apartment.

Both men only faced charges of telephone misuse.

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