Racine man accused of threatening law enforcement on social media bound over for trial
Byron Cowan
RACINE -- 43-year-old Byron Cowan of Racine waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Wednesday morning, August 3rd.
Cowan is accused of threatening law enforcement on social media ahead of the sniper attack in Dallas, and on the heels of the fatal shootings by police in Louisiana (Alton Sterling) and Minnesota (Philando Castile).
Cowan faces the following charges:
Byron Cowan
The judge on Wednesday found probable cause in the case -- and bound Cowan over for trial.
According to a criminal complaint, Racine police were monitoring social media and observed a post by Cowan on July 7th that read:
“Be first to shoot first. I encourage every Black man in America to strap up it is clear. I encourage every white Officer to kiss their love ones good-bye. Every time you leave the house tell them you love them; because you may not make it home. Also if you do not make it home, you may find their dead bodies sprawled all over the house. This is a war. We are tired. I don’t care who I offend. I don’t have any more words but bullets. It’s time to start going into their homes and killing their families. Not (expletive) playing or smiling.”
Following that post were comments, and Cowan responded to the comments, writing: “If you don’t know how to properly use a gun I will teach you. Strap the (expletive) up, shoot first.”
Police were able to verify that Cowan lived in Racine, and they obtained an address for him.
The complaint indicates Cowan admitted to making the posts on social media, and indicated he has more than 5,000 friends on Facebook.
Cowan is due back in court on Friday, September 16th.