An Omaha man, Ean Halstead, 32, has been arrested for allegedly threatening to shoot Columbus Catholic School and the grandchildren of Nebraska Republican Governor Jim Pillen. Halstead reportedly posted a message on the school's website stating, "I’m going to shoot up this school and kill [Governor] Jim Pillen’s [grand]children with a few nuns for f*cking funsies." Governor Pillen expressed gratitude to the Nebraska State Patrol for apprehending Halstead, emphasizing the need to protect children.
Investigators attempted to confront Halstead at his home, but he barricaded himself inside for about an hour. He was later arrested along with his mother. Prosecutors allege that Halstead attempted to conceal his cellphone by hiding it inside a guitar after wiping it clean. The router used to access the school’s website was also disconnected. Authorities linked several email accounts to Halstead and the threat.
Additionally, Halstead reportedly made eight outbound phone calls to a contact in the governor's office shortly before the threat was posted. Court records indicate that Halstead was previously the subject of a protection order filed by a former boyfriend in 2022, which included allegations of threats and violent behavior. Halstead's bond has been set at $1 million, and he is scheduled to appear in court on August 24. He faces charges of making a terroristic threat and tampering with physical evidence.