Man Threatened Mass Shooting At Florida Mosque: Feds

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Authorities in Florida have arrested and charged a man who federal officials say expressed anti-Islam sentiment and made a specific threat to shoot up the Islamic Center of North East Florida. Bernandino Gawala Bolatete, 69, of Jacksonville was charged with illegal possession of a silencer Monday, authorities said.

The arrest comes at the conclusion of an investigation that began in late October. According to the criminal complaint, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office successfully introduced an undercover officer to Bolatete after receiving information from a concerned citizen.

Bolatete and the undercover officer met on several occasions to go shooting at local ranges. During these meetings, Bolatete allegedly repeatedly expressed his hatred of Muslims and made a specific threat to shoot up a mosque, according to the complaint. Bolatete also told the officer he used to be a "rangemaster" at a shooting range in the Philippines and was accidentally shot in the back there, which resulted in his losing a kidney.

Bolatete told the undercover officer he had an upcoming doctor's appointment and was worried about his prognosis.

According to the complaint, a conversation was recorded between Bolatete and the undercover officer Nov. 10 (with the consent of both men) when the two were driving to a shooting range. On the way, they passed the Islamic Center of North East Florida. Bolatete allegedly told the undercover officer he had five rifles and pointed out the mosque's tower.

According to the complaint, Bolatete said Friday for Muslims was the equivalent of Sundays for Christians.

According to a transcript, the undercover officer said, "Okay. You just going to climb up in the tower and..."

Bolatete allegedly spoke about going "up to the tower and start shooting. It will be great, right?" He said this with a laugh. Bolatete added that he had already been over there to see where the tower was located.

In a subsequent conversation Nov. 14, Bolatete allegedly said if he ever decided to go through with the shooting, he did not intend to survive and wanted to commit "suicide by cop."

During a conversation Nov. 24, the undercover officer showed Bolatete a silencer and told him his friend had several weapons and silencers he was trying to sell if Bolatete was interested in buying them, the complaint says. Five days later, the undercover officer visited Bolatete at a liquor store where he was working and Bolatete allegedly asked if the undercover officer's friend had another silencer.

Bolatete was allegedly interested in buying another silencer because he "might need it." The complaint says Bolatete also told the undercover officer he wanted no paperwork associated with the silencer so the government would not be able to search his property.

On Dec. 1, Bolatete bought the silencer from the undercover officer, who got it from the FBI. It was not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

Authorities subsequently arrested and charged Bolatete. Action News Jax reported that Bolatete is a Philippines national and has a green card. FBI officials also said no one was at risk at any time during the investigation.

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