Pennsylvania Delaware County Sheriff Siddiq Kamara received disturbing voicemail messages on Saturday, including racial slurs and graphic threats of violence, which he shared publicly on Monday. The voicemails, which investigators believe originated from the same individual, were left on the county's sheriff civilian hotline.
Kamara, 30, who is Black and Muslim, is the youngest sheriff in the country and the first Liberian-American elected to the office in Delaware County. He was sworn in on January 5.
"Death to Islam," the first threat began, according to a transcript of the messages. "I'm gonna find you (racial slur). I'm gonna hunt you. I'm gonna hunt you like I go hunting in Alaska. I'm gonna find your trail, and I'm gonna snipe you when you least expect it." The message concluded with, "And I'm gonna force feed you your intestines."
The second message also started with "Death to Islam," and continued, "I will find you. I know where you are. You're an amateur. You sold your tell. I will find you. I will break you."
In a statement released by his office, Sheriff Kamara addressed the threats, emphasizing the distinction between public criticism and criminal conduct. "Public officials should expect scrutiny, disagreement, and accountability—that is part of our democracy," he stated. "But threats of violence, intimidation, and hate cross the line and will be treated accordingly."
Kamara stated that the threats have not intimidated him but instead have "strengthened my resolve and reaffirmed why our mission matters." He added, "We will continue moving this office forward with integrity, courage, and an unwavering commitment to public service."
The Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division of the District Attorney's Office is investigating the threats. Sheriff Kamara expressed hope that the caller was not from Delaware County but acknowledged he was still processing the situation.
Discussing his family's immigration to the U.S. after fleeing civil war in Liberia, Kamara told NBC10 that it instilled in him a deep appreciation for American freedoms, including freedom of religion. He described the threats as "distasteful" and unacceptable in the United States.
The Delaware County Council issued a statement strongly condemning the threats, calling them "violent threats and attacks based on race and creed" that have "no place in a democracy." The council affirmed its solidarity with Sheriff Kamara and his office.
The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia) also condemned the incident, calling it a "disturbing reminder of the hatred that too often targets public officials from historically marginalized communities." CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Ahmet Tekelioglu stated that such attacks are intended to instill fear in entire minority groups, particularly Black, immigrant, and Muslim communities.
CAIR reported that these threats come amid a national increase in bias incidents targeting Muslims, immigrants, and communities of color. The organization's latest Civil Rights Report documented 8,683 anti-Muslim bias complaints in 2025, the highest number since the report began in 1996.