Kelowna man faces criminal charge for threatening Facebook comments

KELOWNA – A Kelowna man has been charged with a criminal offence after disturbing comments were posted on his Facebook page.

According to RCMP search warrant documents, Devon Clark Norton allegedly posted he had joined a war, would be leaving soon and mentioned the prime minister.

Some of the comments include: “let’s take down this f___ed up country all government officials are target’s (sic) our team needs more fighters please join ICIS (sic). Let’s kill kill kill I’m on a killing spree today look out Kelowna law enforcement.”

Norton says he was angry because he didn’t get child tax credit money he was expecting from the federal government.

“I didn’t directly make any threats to nobody. All I said about kill, kill, kill was just venting. That’s all it was, venting,” says Norton. “I posted I understand joining ISIS, people joining ISIS to take out government. Stephen Harper is what I mentioned.”

A spokesperson for the Kelowna RCMP say they take threats very seriously and will investigate thoroughly. “It is valuable to know that if you vent frustration on certain social media sites and threats are involved it can constitute a criminal offence,” says Cpl. Joe Duncan. “It is important that internet and computer users be mindful that what you post online is there forever and that people reading these posts may misinterpret them.”

Norton, 40, has been charged with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm. His first court appearance is Tuesday.

“All this is over freedom of speech and I guess you can’t vent on line anymore,” says Norton.

Police were tipped off to the Facebook comments by Norton’s concerned sister in Calgary who told investigators she believes he is capable of carrying out his threats.

Officers seized computer equipment from Norton’s Rutland neighbourhood townhouse.