Woodbury Man Charged For Alleged Capitol Threat

WOODBURY, MN (WNN) – A Woodbury man allegedly threatened to shoot people at the state Capitol. Jonathan Michael Bohn, 41, a lobbyist, was charged today in Carver County District Court with one felony count of making a threat of violence.

A criminal complaint states a resident of Waconia received disturbing texts allegedly from Bohn, who was described as an acquaintance. A detective for Carver County reviewed the texts that included one stating, “Today I bought 500 bullets. I can’t wait to shoot one of you [expletive] in the face.” Another text stated: “Excited to have my gun at the Capitol and blow somebody’s [expletive] face off.” 

The victim said he began receiving the text messages Wednesday night while eating at a restaurant. “Victim indicated the text messages were so upsetting to him that he left the restaurant early and proceeded home to lock his doors and that he had a difficult time sleeping,” according to the complaint. “Victim did not respond to defendant’s messages. Victim reported being concerned regarding the threats because he was aware Defendant was a lobbyist that is frequently at the Capitol.”

The victim also said he and Bohn had not communicated “for a considerable amount of time due to political differences that had arisen.” Rep. Jim Nash, a Waconia Republican, reported the text messages to law enforcement after being contacted by the victim.

The court document indicates an unloaded firearm was found in a locked case in Bohn’s garage at his Woodbury home during the execution of a search warrant.

KARE-11 reported that Bohn’s attorney said his client was engaged in a political argument via text and made comments that were inappropriate but were not an actual intent to harm anyone. Attorney John Lesch told the court that Bohn reacted to a post that mocked DFL Rep. Melissa Hortman and DFL Sen. John Hoffman. Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed Saturday. Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot but are recovering. 

In a statement, Bohn said he was grieving that violence: “In the midst of this immense grief, I sent a series of heated and emotional texts to a friend of nearly thirteen years – someone with whom I’ve shared countless candid and passionate political conversations. In that moment of anguish, I used language that I deeply regret. The words were spoken from pain, not from intent. I am a hurting person, not a violent one.”

He added that he condemns violence and was profoundly sorry for his words. “This moment demands unity, compassion, and reflection — and I am committed to being part of that healing.”

Bohn is listed as the director of public affairs for the Inter Faculty Organization, a union that represents faculty at Minnesota state universities, and was placed on administrative leave after the incident.

Judge Eric Braaten set bond at $1 million and ordered Bohn not to contact the victim. The defendant also must stay a half-mile from the Capitol complex and surrender all firearms to the sheriff’s office. His next court hearing is set for Aug. 27.