Ohio Man Accused Of Threatening Catholic High School

GATES MILLS, OH — A 53-year-old man has been accused of threatening Gilmour Academy, the FBI announced this week.

Thomas Bares, 53, of Concord Township, has been accused of making interstate threatening communications. He was taken into custody by the FBI on Saturday.

In July 2020, Gilmour Academy officials noticed Bares was posting threatening messages involving the school on social media, a federal complaint said. Bares was formerly a volunteer employee at the private Catholic school. Administrative staff contacted law enforcement about the messages.

On Aug. 18 and Aug. 21, the federal complaint said, Bares posted the following messages to social media: "Spotlight on Gilmour Academy" with a picture of a handgun and ammunition, he then wrote, "I have no fear of creating a holy war..."

Bares' posts also included photos of administrative staff and a sergeant employed at Gates Mills Police Department, with the caption, "all hell will break loose," the FBI said.

According to the federal complaint, he then posted two videos, one called "It is Finished" showing Bares with a handgun, and a second with Bares saying, "Guess what Gilmour Academy, now y'all gotta deal with some dangerous."

The FBI said the videos indicated Bares was in a vehicle park and campground in South Dakota.

Law enforcement took Bares into custody in Rapid City, South Dakota on Saturday, the FBI said. The investigation into Bares is ongoing, an FBI spokesperson said.