Marion County authorities arrested 20-year-old Aaron Keith Bynum after an FBI tip identified him as the source of online threats to attack a local Walmart if a hantavirus outbreak triggered COVID-style lockdowns. Investigators executed a search warrant, seized a computer and related accessories, and charged Bynum with first-degree terroristic threatening and harassing communications; bond was set at $2,500. The alleged threat follows a rare hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius linked to at least 10 cases and three deaths, while a separate hantavirus death in Colorado was reported and said to be unrelated.
Arkansas Man Arrested After Threatening Walmart Mass Shooting Over Potential Hantavirus Lockdown
Aaron BynumCredit: Marion County sheriff's department
Aaron Keith Bynum, 20, of Oakland, Arkansas, was arrested on May 15 and charged with first-degree terroristic threatening (a Class D felony) and harassing communications (a Class A misdemeanor) after allegedly threatening to carry out a mass shooting at a local Walmart if a hantavirus outbreak prompted COVID-style lockdowns, Marion County Sheriff Gregg Alexander said.
Investigation And Arrest
The investigation began after the FBI received a tip on May 9 from a player in a multiplayer online game who supplied a username and an in-game recording of the alleged threats. A subpoena to the game's parent company on May 11 identified the account owner as Bynum. The FBI’s Fayetteville Field Office shared the information with the Marion County Sheriff's Office on May 13.
On May 14, Marion County investigators obtained a search warrant for Bynum's residence and a probable cause affidavit for his arrest. Deputies executed the warrant the following day, seizing a computer and related accessories. Bynum was taken into custody "without incident" and held at the Marion County Detention Center; bond was set at $2,500.
Public Health Context
The alleged threat comes amid concern over a rare hantavirus strain linked to an outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, which has been associated with at least 10 confirmed infections and three deaths. Authorities have said this strain may allow for limited human-to-human transmission — a characteristic not commonly seen in more typical hantavirus cases.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hantavirus is usually transmitted to people through contact with infected rodents or their urine, droppings or saliva. Separately, Colorado health officials confirmed a hantavirus-related death in Douglas County on May 16 and said that case is not connected to the cruise ship outbreak.
Authorities have not released further details about any motive beyond the alleged online messages. PEOPLE has contacted the Marion County Sheriff's Office for updates.
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