California Mayor Faces Online Death Threat Ahead of Election

Manteca police are investigating an online threat targeting Democratic Mayor Gary Singh, which suggested the official should be shot. The threat was posted in a community Facebook group and has prompted an investigation by the Manteca Police Department.

"Threats of violence against elected officials, community members, or anyone else will not be tolerated in our city," the department stated in a public post. "Every person has the right to express their opinions, voice concerns, and disagree with elected leaders. However, there is a clear difference between expressing an opinion and threatening someone’s life."

The department confirmed it is actively investigating the incident and will forward the case to the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office for review and potential criminal charges once the investigation is complete. Police emphasized that political disagreements should not escalate to violence, intimidation, or vandalism, including the destruction of campaign signs.

Mayor Singh, who is up for reelection in November, has been involved in local politics for over a decade. He previously served as a planning commissioner and city council member before being elected mayor in 2022. This investigation comes weeks after Singh faced scrutiny for a social media video that appeared to offer a $50 discount for votes, which his campaign stated was an unsolicited offer from a local chiropractor.

In 2022, Singh’s mayoral campaign was also subject to a conflict of interest allegation regarding a highway interchange project near land partially owned by his father. The California Fair Political Practices Commission reviewed the complaint and dismissed the allegations in October 2023, finding no conflict of interest occurred.