HUNTINGTON — A bomb threat targeting State Sen. Andy Zay's business marks the latest escalation in intimidation against Indiana lawmakers that now includes Governor Mike Braun among the victims, bringing the total number of affected officials to at least seven.
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Sen. Zay (R-Huntington) confirmed Friday that his Huntington business received a bomb threat Thursday, adding to a pattern of swatting attacks and threats targeting state legislators this week.
"Yesterday, my business in Huntington was targeted with a bomb threat, which is part of the recent troubling pattern against lawmakers in Indiana," Sen. Zay said in a statement. "It's unfortunate that my family and I continue to be threatened for my work as a public servant and state senator."
Sen. Zay is a third-generation owner of Zay Leasing and Rentals. He was out on an errand when he got the call about the threat and State Police responsing.
"They had their team already in action, going around the, the buildings with the bomb sniffing dogs... to make sure everything was safe and there was no imminent threat, fortunately there wasn't," Senator Zay said.
The bomb threat represents an escalation from the incidents that have targeted at least six other senators: Spencer Deery, Dan Dernulc, Greg Goode, Rick Niemeyer, Kyle Walker and Linda Rogers.
Sen. Zay told WRTV's Nicole Griffin he believes the incident is due to the redistricting debate. On Friday, he publicly acknowledged he is for redistricting.
"I had spent the last month trying to negotiate with the White House and the administration to use much different tactics. I felt that we should have done a multimedia marketing campaign and invested in a broad advertising campaign to really bring the support for a redistricting from the ground up, because I think even to date that we really haven't made the case of why," Senator Zay said.
He said the threats are discouraging.
"The difficult thing is always to discuss this with your spouse, discuss it with your family, and over time, there were incidents where they had been brought into that," Senator Zay said. "They are very supportive of me serving; they didn't ask for this harassment, they don't ask for these things, it drives you to the question of is it worth it?"
Sen. Walker previously released a statement saying "attempts have been made to intimidate me and threaten violence at my home," but later clarified he also received a bomb threat.
The attacks began Sunday evening when Sen. Greg Goode was swatted, hours after being publicly criticized by President Trump over redistricting opposition.
Sen. Deery's West Lafayette home was targeted Thursday morning with a false domestic abuse report designed to prompt a large police response. Sen. Dernulc and Sen. Niemeyer were both targeted in separate swatting incidents on Wednesday.
Governor Braun revealed on social media that he and his family have also been targeted, writing:
"Enough is enough. These threats to lawmakers, including those received by me and my family in recent days, need to stop. Indiana State Police and their law-enforcement partners have been working around the clock all week to protect lawmakers and investigate threats. Rest assured—if you threaten or attempt to carry out acts of violence against Indiana's elected officials, we WILL bring you to justice."
The FBI has now joined the investigation, with Indianapolis FBI Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O'Malley confirming federal involvement.
"FBI Indianapolis is working alongside the Indiana State Police to support their investigation. We're leveraging the FBI's technical capabilities to help identify whoever is responsible, regardless of where they're located," O'Malley said. "These incidents are dangerous, and our goal is to help bring them to an end before someone gets seriously hurt."
Indiana State Police confirmed they are investigating multiple incidents targeting General Assembly members, describing the situation as dangerous and illegal.
"Our goal is to seek criminal prosecution against those involved, to the fullest extent allowed by law," ISP said in a statement.
WATCH | ISP Captain Ron Galaviz dives into the investigation with WRTV's Nicole Griffin
