Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is "heartsick" after a malicious prank targeting her led to an innocent woman's death.
66-year-old Tammy Pickelsimer was killed in a car accident as police rushed to respond to a fake bomb threat at Greene's home in Rome, Georgia.
"I'm heartsick right now," Greene wrote. "I was just informed that an innocent women died today in an auto accident involving a member of the Rome Police bomb squad who was responding to the threat at my home."
In her post, Greene said she has been "swatted" - a form of criminal harassment in which a person makes false threats to provoke a police response - at least nine times.
"Since being elected to Congress, I have been swatted at least nine times - deliberate attempts to provoke a deadly police response through false and highly exaggerated threats," she said.
The Republican previously shared a video of the bomb squad responding to an e-mail threatening to blow up her mailbox. Greene said the message was traced to a Russian IP address.
I’m heartsick right now. I was just informed that an innocent woman died today in an auto accident involving a member of the Rome Police bomb squad who was responding to the threat at my home.
My prayers are with Tammie Pickelsimer, her family, the officer who was injured, and… https://t.co/eGaUoZkMWs
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) December 10, 2024
Georgia recently made swatting a felony - but since the apparent perpetrator of this act was living abroad, it's sadly unlikely they will be brought to justice.
Still, Greene said she is doing everything she can to find the culprit.
"Due to the international nature and severity of this threat, my office is collaborating closely with local and federal law enforcement, including the FBI, to ensure the perpetrator is brought to justice," Greene said.
"These violent political threats have fatal consequences," Greene said.
"It’s an undue strain on our law enforcement who must treat them seriously. The officer was responding to protect my life. And now, a woman has lost her life because of this despicable act."
The Rome Police also issued a statement on the tragedy, which also injured the police officer involved in the crash.
"The Rome Police Department extends its heartfelt condolences to the Pickelsimer family during this difficult time. The department holds the individual responsible for sending the threatening email fully accountable for setting this tragic chain of events into motion. In collaboration with Congresswoman Greene's office, the Rome Police Department is working with federal authorities to ensure the perpetrator is apprehended and brought to justice."
