Mario Bernal, an ex-employee of Camp Cho-Yeh in Livingston, Texas, was arrested on June 22 for threatening children at the Christian camp that he would “create the next Columbine shooting” if they “piss him off.”
A press statement on June 23 from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said Bernal, 23, was arrested with the help of the Livingston Police Department for making a terroristic threat. He is being held at the Polk County Jail on a $50,000 bond.
Witnesses told authorities, according to an affidavit cited by Fox 26, that Bernal threatened to “clock himself out” if he were fired like the 1999 school shooting at Columbine High School in Columbine, Colorado.
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Bernal allegedly also threatened that if the camp “came at him legally,” he would “not go down by himself.”
The camp, which was established in 1947, is described as a “premier Christian Camp and Retreat Center” on its website.
“The word ‘Cho-Yeh’ comes from the local Alabama-Coushatta language and means ‘land of tall pines.’ For decades, Camp Cho-Yeh has been a place where both youth and adults have grown in their faith and character, while having fun, and helping people grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus Christ,” the camp states.
Staffers at the camp, however, allege in court documents that Bernal was fired after he locked a group of children in a hot room as “discipline” and refused to let them leave.
Court documents cited by OnalaskaTexas also reported that Bernal was previously charged with two counts of forcible sexual abuse related to an incident on March 29. A sexual violence protective order was reportedly also granted against him in April.
It is unclear when Bernal was hired by Camp Cho-Yeh and when exactly he was fired. Officials at the camp were not available for comment when contacted by The Christian Post on Friday.
Livingston Police Department Chief Matt Parrish explained in a statement, however, that his department was made aware of an investigation into Bernal’s threats late Sunday morning. Shortly after noon that day, a Livingston Police Department officer spotted Bernal’s vehicle near the camp’s entrance and subsequently took him into custody without incident.
“Threats to this community, especially involving our children, will always be taken seriously,” he said. “I commend the quick and thorough investigation by the Sheriff’s Office, as well as the response by our officers.”
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