Tampa, Florida – Robert Trout III, 19, of St. Petersburg, is charged with transmitting a threat of a mass shooting, facing a potential penalty of up to five years in federal prison if convicted. Trout made his initial appearance in federal court in Tampa on December 7, 2023, and has been ordered detained pending further court proceedings.
Key Points
- The newly unsealed complaint details that Trout posted a video on Instagram threatening a mass shooting in New York City, specifically targeting subway passengers on Thanksgiving evening, November 23, 2023.
- In the video, Trout warned people in New York City against taking the train that Thursday evening.
- While issuing the threats, Trout displayed multiple firearms, including two semi-automatic guns with extended clips, containing a total of 60 bullets.
- Trout claimed in the video that the 60 bullets could equate to 60 fatalities.
- Law enforcement was able to identify Trout as the suspect behind the threats through recent posts on his Instagram account and corroborating witness statements.
