SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Police in Aberdeen have arrested a suspect accused of making threats against a political candidate who was attending Saturday’s Northern State University football game. Police posted on social media that the suspect appeared in court for simple assault.
Republican candidate for Governor, Toby Doeden, says he attended the game at Northern State with his wife, their youngest son, and daughter. He says during the game, his daughter noticed a couple of people acting in his words “suspicious.” We spoke with Doeden today, who says a woman approached him from behind and said, “We got Kirk, you’re next.”
“My daughter, at one point, yelled to them, What did you just say? They turned around and they screamed at my daughter and said ‘We got Charlie Kirk, your dad is next,” said Doeden.
Deoden described the physical contact as a shove or push from behind. He says he was shocked by the encounter.
“The campus security and the Aberdeen Police Department did an amazing job. They tracked this individual down outside the stadium in a residential area. They apparently made an arrest, and so yeah, it was a pretty scary situation,” said Doeden.
Doeden says there is no place for violence in politics. We reached out to the Aberdeen Police Department but did not hear back. A press release through social media says they treat threats against any politician very seriously.
