Suspect charged after social-media threat forces evacuation at Archdiocese site
SHREWSBURY, Mo. — A man has been arrested and charged with a felony after posting threatening videos about an Archdiocese of St. Louis facility in Shrewsbury that led to an evacuation and a law enforcement search, authorities said Wednesday.
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office charged Jeremiah Robinson, 32, of Ste. Genevieve, with making a first-degree making a terrorist threat after investigators traced the videos to him following a tip from federal authorities, according to a news release from the prosecutor's office.
Officials said the FBI National Operations Center alerted the Shrewsbury Police Department after locating a threatening TikTok video tied to the Archdiocese of St. Louis. In the first clip, Robinson said he was two minutes away from the archdiocese and that "God had instructed him to use no discernment," according to the release. Investigators said a second video was posted from the parking lot that showed the archdiocese offices and included a direction to "leave no one breathing."
"Everyone who walks into that church is guilty and to kill them,"
After the videos were identified, the building was evacuated and canine teams searched the grounds. Authorities reported they found no credible evidence to substantiate the threat.
Charges, custody and bail
Robinson was booked into the county jail on the terror-threat charge and is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond, according to the prosecuting attorney's office release.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suspect | Jeremiah Robinson, 32, Ste. Genevieve |
| Charge | First-degree making a terrorist threat |
| Location | Archdiocese of St. Louis venue, Shrewsbury |
| Bond | $100,000 cash-only |
| Investigation | FBI tipped local police; canine search found no credible evidence |
Local impact and law enforcement response
The incident underscores how social media posts can quickly trigger significant law enforcement responses and community alarm. The FBI's National Operations Center — which monitors threats and suspicious activity reported through federal channels and partner agencies — notified Shrewsbury police, prompting local investigators to locate and review the posts.
Authorities said the immediate priority was public safety. The archdiocese facility was cleared while bomb-detection dogs swept the property. Officials did not release information about the length of the evacuation or whether services or other scheduled activities were affected.
- Tip and discovery: FBI alerted Shrewsbury police to a threatening TikTok video.
- Public-safety action: Evacuation and canine search of the archdiocese site.
- Outcome: No credible explosive device found; suspect arrested and charged.
Wider considerations for churches and community institutions
Religious institutions and other community sites have been among places that law enforcement and security officials ask the public to treat carefully when threats appear online. While officials did not release any additional guidance tied specifically to this case, the swift coordination between federal and local authorities reflects standard protocol for responding to potentially violent threats involving public gatherings.
The prosecuting attorney's office handled the formal charge, and Robinson faces criminal proceedings under state law. Further details about the investigation, including any planned court dates or additional charges, were not included in the office's release.
Residents with information related to the incident were asked to contact local law enforcement. For ongoing updates, the public is advised to monitor releases from the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and the Shrewsbury Police Department.
This report is based on a news release from the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and statements from the Shrewsbury Police Department and federal authorities.
