A Wappapello, Mo., man apparently dissatisfied with the government and state of today's world was arrested Wednesday after allegedly making threats to employees of Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation.
"Yesterday afternoon, officer Josh Moore responded to Vocational Rehab, 1903 Northwood, Suite 3" regarding a "complaint from an employee there that Bobby Jackson had come in" and made alleged threats, said Poplar Bluff Police Detective Scott Phelps.
While at Vocational Rehab, Jackson "essentially became upset because they weren't providing services or doing things" as fast as he thought they should, said Phelps. "I think he was mad because they were taking too much time."
Jackson, he said, began talking about "shootings in the streets and how bad the world is.
"... He spoke to one of the employees there and said God was coming, and she would know when it happened."
While seated at the employee's desk, Jackson reportedly tapped his finger forcefully on the desk.
"He left the office at that point," Phelps said. "A short time later, he called the office and asked the employee whether they were aware of all the school shootings going on.
"The employee told him, yes, she was. At that point, Jackson said it was not beneath him to do that because he was in combat."
During the call, Phelps said, Jackson also allegedly made a comment about how "they would know when he was in the building."
Just prior to hanging up, Jackson is reported to have said "pop."
Phelps said a report, with probable-cause statement, subsequently was completed and sent to the prosecuting attorney's office.
Contact, Phelps said, also was made with the Wayne County Sheriff's Department in an attempt to locate Jackson.
"Wayne County located him at his house, just north of the lake," Phelps said. "They took him into custody.
"We met them at the lake, at the dam, took custody of him and brought him back here."
Phelps said he subsequently interviewed Jackson.
"He's upset because the government never does what they say they are going to," Phelps said. "He was put into some program," and apparently got a grant, as a veteran, for his business that didn't work out.
"He admitted to referring to God was coming," Phelps said. "He said he referred to that because of how the world is now with all the shootings."
Jackson, Phelps said, also admitted to saying something about school shootings, but denied saying "it was not beneath him."
Phelps said Jackson reported he was "talking in general about the conditions of the world."
Jackson, he said, also reported he recently completed an anger management program through Veterans Affairs.
"You couldn't keep him focused very long talking to him; he was all over the place," said Phelps, who indicated Wednesday's incident was "just verbal, nothing physical."
Jackson, 57, of Wappapello was arrested on suspicion of second-degree terrorist threat and booked at the Butler County jail.
"I want to assure the schools, the citizens whether it be private or public events, when we receive notification of a potential threat, it will be dealt with expediently and the (threat) will be investigated and appropriate charges forwarded to the prosecutor," said police Chief Danny Whiteley.
In today's environment, Whiteley said, the days of "ole Billy Bob are over. ... That's not an excuse anymore."
Phelps agreed.
Before, it might have been blown "off as (someone) talking in anger; they are mad, but they'll get over it," Phelps said. "You can't take (talk) that way anymore."
Whiteley said there are no "routine threats" against schools or public events anymore.
"Adult citizens, younger people all will be treated the same way," Whiteley said. "All of our threat assessments will be provided to federal agencies for their review."
Whiteley expressed his thanks to his officers, the Wayne County Sheriff's Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol for their expediency in handling this situation.