At Least 9 Target Stores Received Fake Bomb Threats Over Pride Merchandise

At least nine Target locations in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Utah recently received false bomb threats amidst ongoing right-wing outcry against the brand’s annual Pride Month collection.

These threats, which impacted Target stores in the greater Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Salt Lake City areas, came in the form of an email from what Layton, Utah Police Sgt. John Ottesen declared a “bogus email address,” according to local news outlet KUTV.

Cleveland 19 News shared a screenshot of the email, in which the sender — who claims to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community — tells the news outlet that they intend to punish Target for recently pulling some of its Pride-themed merchandise from stores by placing bombs in select stores.

“We will continue to bomb your Targets until you stop cowering and bring back your LGBT merchandise,” the writer said. “We will not be erased, we won’t go quietly.”