Federal authorities have announced the arrest of Lisa White, a Florida attorney who permanently resides in Mississippi. She is suspected of threatening to kill U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers while trying to buy a firearm. The incident took place in September at the High Caliber Guns store in Long Beach. The next day, White was arrested by agents of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
According to case records, on the morning of Sept. 23, the woman walked into the store and told employees she needed a gun. She introduced herself as an activist taking part in protests against the actions of immigration authorities. She allegedly explained that she wanted to buy a pistol and pepper spray for her own protection because, as she put it, ICE agents are behaving “more and more aggressively.”
According to a store employee, White asked whether the weapon on offer could pierce an agent’s bulletproof vest. Then, pointing to her own torso, she allegedly said that if a bullet did not penetrate the body armor, she would have to aim at the officer’s head, arm or leg. The salesman warned her that pointing a weapon at police officers could get her killed. “If I have to die, I’ll die,” White allegedly replied. In response, the employee suggested she buy pepper spray and referred her to a shooting range for training.
The woman was interested in two pistols but did not complete a purchase. She returned to the store the same day, but the owner refused to sell her a gun and told her to come back in a few days. Staff then notified the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), which passed the information on to HSI agents.
Officers questioned witnesses, located White and arrested her on Sept. 24 in Long Beach. The woman has been charged in connection with making threats against federal officers. She faces up to 10 years in prison.
Ed. JŁ
