HAGERSTOWN, Md. — A Hagerstown woman, Salamah Bassem Audi, 35, was arrested Saturday following an investigation by Maryland fire authorities after allegedly making several online threats against local churches and their pastors.
According to investigators from the Hagerstown Fire Marshal’s Office and the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Audi posted multiple threats targeting Gateway Experience Church in Williamsport, The City of God in Hagerstown, and church leaders on an online blog.
One of the posts specifically threatened to blow up a Hagerstown pastor into “itty bitty pieces” while he was on his way to his car.
Using assistance from the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center (MCAC), authorities were able to trace the blog back to Audi. An arrest warrant was issued, and she was taken into custody by Hagerstown Police without incident.
Audi faces charges including two counts of arson threat and one count of threatening mass violence. She was booked at the Washington County Detention Center and later released on recognizance.
The Hagerstown City Fire Marshal’s Office is continuing to investigate the incidents within its jurisdiction.
