Marcus Shelton, 36, is wanted by the NYPD for allegedly threatening to kill a police officer in the name of ISIS. (NYPD)
A New York man is wanted for questioning after he allegedly made threats to shoot and kill NYPD and Philadelphia police officers in the name of ISIS, CBS New York reports.
Marcus Shelton, 36, a Peekskill native with a lengthy criminal record, is also wanted on active warrants from unrelated cases, police said. The NYPD put out an alert to its officers warning them of the threat, but said the public is not in danger.
“We know who this individual is and we’re actively looking for him right now,” NYPD Chief of Intelligence Thomas Galati told the New York Daily News.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Anonymous Callers Told Police Shelton Has Pledged His Allegiance to ISIS & Threatened to Attack Cops
Marcus Shelton. (Facebook)
Police said they received multiple calls reporting that a man was making threats against police officers. The caller said the man has pledged allegiance to ISIS, according to police.
The first anonymous call was made to Philadelphia police. The caller said a man was plotting to shoot an officer in that city, the New York Daily News reports. The call was traced to Manhattan and the NYPD was notified by Philadelphia police.
The 32nd Precinct in Harlem then received a similar call about Shelton, the Daily News reports. The anonymous caller told detectives Shelton had pledged allegiance to ISIS and threatened to shoot a police officer.
2. The Threat Comes 2 Weeks After a Philadelphia Cop Was Ambushed & Shot by an ISIS Supporter
The threat comes about two weeks after a Philadelphia police officer was ambushed and shot in his patrol car by an ISIS supporter.
“One of the phone calls indicated ISIS,” NYPD Chief of Intelligence Thomas Galati told CBS New York. “We are taking it serious based on what happened in Philadelphia a couple of weeks ago.”
Edward Archer, 30, was arrested in the shooting of Officer Jesse Hartnett, who was shot multiple times on January 7, but survived.
Archer told detectives he shot the officer “in the name of Islam” and pledged his allegiance to ISIS. Local police and the FBI have been investigating whether Archer is tied to a larger group of ISIS sympathizers who may be targeting police officers.
Read more about Archer and the shooting at the link below:
3. Shelton Has 20 Prior Arrests & Is on Parole for Assault
(Facebook)
Marcus Shelton is currently on parole from an assault conviction and is wanted on warrants, police said. He has 20 prior arrests and served time in prison for a drug conviction, according to the Daily News.
In 2003, Shelton was convicted of assaulting a man before the victim was fatally shot during an argument over a $40 lottery ticket, the Journal News reported.
He was arrested in 2011 on charges of speeding, improper plates, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving an uninsured vehicle, having a suspended registration, aggravated unlicensed operation fo a vehicle and criminal possession of stolen property, Patch reported.
According to the report, Shelton was pulled over for speeding on September 4, 2011, and investigation found the registration sticker on his license plate did not match the plates. The plates were stolen from a car at a New York mall, police said.
4. The Police Union Warned Officers to be Extra Vigilant
(Facebook)
An alert has been put out to police about Shelton. Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said officers received the alerts instantly on their smartphones and tablets.
Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association President Pat Lynch encouraged officers to be extra vigilant.
“New York City police officers recognize that they are always a potential target for terrorists and political extremists,” Lynch said in a statement. “The PBA is reminding all of our members to be alert at all times, back each other up and to take all necessary precautions when responding to jobs. Be mindful that any call, regardless of how insignificant it appears to be, may be a set up. Rely on your training and tactics and trust your instincts. Don’t hesitate to call for back up when your gut tells you something is wrong.”
5. Shelton Has Several Addresses Where He Has Lived in the Bronx & Harlem
(Facebook)
Police said officers have been warned to approach Shelton with caution. He has multiple last known addresses in the Bronx and Harlem.
On his Facebook page Shelton says he is a resident of Harlem and was born in Peekskill, New York.
