Baton Rouge, La. — An LSU student has been arrested after, prosecutors say, he made an online threat to kill Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, who advocated bringing a live tiger onto the field as part of a recent college football game.
Landry, a Republican, helped revive the school’s tradition by driving a caged Bengal tiger into the stadium before kickoff for the first time in nearly a decade. Animal rights activists protested outside the stadium.
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According to an arrest affidavit, Jackson Pemberton, 21, told state police investigators Tuesday that he was joking when he posted on social media, “I’m going to kill you, Jefflandry,” tagging the governor’s account at media.
Pemberton told investigators he was “angry about the governor’s decision regarding the live tiger brought onto the LSU football field last weekend,” according to the affidavit.
Gerald Herbert/AP
Pemberton, of Baton Rouge, was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish jail on charges of threatening a government official, media reported. Jail records do not indicate whether he has an attorney or whether bond has been set.
In a statement Wednesday, an LSU spokesperson said the university was aware of the student’s arrest.
“We take very seriously any behavior that endangers the safety of individuals or our community,” the statement read. “LSU is committed to providing a respectful, responsible and safe environment for all.”
