Man arrested after making ‘hit list’ threats against 20 Pennsylvania Democratic lawmakers, police say
Some of the state lawmakers questioned why they weren't made aware of the threats until nearly a week later.
A Lebanon County man was arrested and charged last week after making “politically violent” social media threats — including an alleged “hit list” — against 20 Democratic state lawmakers mostly from the Philadelphia area, state police said Tuesday.
Adam Berryhill, 42, of Lebanon, was arrested on May 6 after authorities were notified of the online threats, state police said in a news release. He was charged the following day in Lebanon County Magisterial District Court with one count of making a terroristic threat, according to court records.
Berryhill’s list, first reported by Spotlight PA, included House Speaker Joanna McClinton, and Rep. Chris Rabb and Sen. Sharif Street — both of whom are vying in a hotly contested primary to represent Philadelphia’s 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House.
According to state police, Berryhill posted the list on X in April and “made statements about shooting.” Police did not provide the social media posts but said Berryhill also posted a picture of a firearm and mentioned a “Memorial Day Operation.”
According to police, the other Philadelphia officials on Berryhill’s list included Reps. Morgan Cephas, Malcolm Kenyatta, Rick Krajewski, Danilo Burgos, Joe Hohenstein, Mary Isaacson, and Jordan Harris. Lawmakers from Philadelphia’s collar counties were also on Berryhill’s list, police said, including: Reps. Benjamin Sanchez and Tim Briggs, and Sens. Steve Santarsiero, Amanda Cappelletti, Maria Collett, John Kane, Katie Muth, and Judy Schwank.
While Berryhill was arrested nearly a week ago, some of the Democratic lawmakers said they had not been made aware that their names appeared on the so-called “hit list” until police posted it online Tuesday.
Muth, who represents Montgomery County, said she had only become aware of the alleged threats after two of her Democratic colleagues received preliminary hearing notices at their Capitol offices that identified them as crime victims. Muth said she contacted the magisterial district judge to receive her own letter.
“I don’t have any idea why we weren’t notified prior,” Muth said Tuesday evening, adding that she often drives through Lebanon as part of her route to Harrisburg. “It just would have been nice to know … I feel like it’s a failure of protocol.’”
Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa on Tuesday called the events “a clear communication breakdown that failed to keep legislators briefed on threats to their safety and subsequent steps taken by law enforcement.”
“The safety of each and every senator is a top priority, and I look forward to meeting with our security teams and the Pennsylvania State Police to personally ensure that all communications protocols are adhered to going forward,” said Costa, whose name was not on the list.
A state police spokesperson said in an email Tuesday evening that the agency alerted the Lebanon County district attorney “immediately following” the threats, in addition to the “law enforcement agencies responsible for the security of the elected officials involved.”
“The law enforcement process worked as it should to keep public officials safe, and the individual responsible for the threats is now behind bars,” said Chris Caracino, a state police spokesperson.
Several of the lawmakers said threats of political violence have become commonplace.
Kenyatta, who serves as a vice chair in the national Democratic Party in addition to his duties as a state representative, said in a statement it’s “sadly not the first time I’ve endured threats of political violence.”
“Threats, intimidation, and violence have no place in our politics,” Kenyatta added. “It seems trite to repeat, but we must continue to say it from every part of the political spectrum.”
Rabb, who has spoken publicly about his family’s concerns about his run for higher office, said he learned of the threats Tuesday. In a statement, he said that political violence against elected officials is “meant to silence people like me.”
“Threats don’t change the work — they confirm why it matters," Rabb said.
Street said in a statement he has faced “tens of thousands of threats” for his defiance to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
“We remain undeterred in our mission to deliver for the people of Philadelphia,” Street added.
Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, was the victim of political violence last year, when a Harrisburg man broke into the state-owned governor’s residence wielding a hammer and set off several fires, while Shapiro and his family slept inside. Shapiro and his family were uninjured. The man later pleaded guilty to attempted murder and arson, among other charges.
Court records did not list an attorney for Berryhill. He is scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing before a magisterial district judge on Thursday, records show.
