Trump Supporter William Celli Outside Mosque - “I’m Going To Kill You All”
RICHMOND — On Dec. 4, William Celli stood outside the Islamic Society of West Contra Costa County and yelled “I’m going to kill you all” at worshipers as they left a prayer service, the mosque’s leader said Monday.
Members of the mosque alerted police, and they launched an investigation into the local plumber and self-proclaimed Donald Trump supporter who posted on Facebook that he would follow the Republican presidential candidate “to the end of the world.” On Sunday, police said, they arrested Celli, 55, after learning he posted a photo of a pipe bomb on social media. Inside his Richmond home, investigators said they found a pipe bomb-type device that was not armed with explosives.
The mosque, which is attended by several hundred people, has hired private security guards to ensure the safety of its worshipers, said Imam Hamza Mehter, adding it’s the first time in the nearly two decades the mosque has been in that neighborhood that threats have been made.
=====
Richmond police said Celli’s motives in his alleged threats are unclear, and they were still investigating whether he had plans to carry out any violence.
“His actions and words were so concerning, (mosque members) were photographing him in his car,” Richmond police Capt. Mark Gagan said. “He was threatening violence on them, and they were very shaken by it.”
As police investigated the criminal threats, they learned Celli posted a photo of a pipe bomb on social media, Gagan said.
“That raised the stakes to get him into custody and find out what his intentions were,” Gagan said. “We’re relieved to have him in custody and that the bomb we were afraid he would use has been found inert and seized.”
On Celli’s Facebook page, he made numerous statements citing his allegiance to Trump, saying on Oct. 21: “I’ll follow this MAN to the end of the world.”
In the past few months, Celli has posted some short “rants,” largely on the presidential election, as well as railing on immigration issues.
On Oct. 25, he cited a verse from the Koran: “Surah 47:4 When ye encounter the infidels strike of their heads.”
“And I’m the bad guy,” he wrote on Facebook. “And our progressive leaders want to bring more of this into our country. Upwards of 6 million over the next years. Kiss your Christian asses goodbye. And all other nonbelievers of the Koran.”
Trump’s campaign press secretary, Hope Hicks, did not respond to multiple requests for comment Monday.
More: Richmond man arrested on suspicion of threatening Muslims - San Jose Mercury News