September 20, 2025

Felony Charges Filed Against Man for Threats to LGBTQ+ Bar in Phoenix

News Summary

Treven Michael Gokey, 49, was arrested in Phoenix for making terroristic threats against Cruisin’ 7th, an LGBTQ+ bar. His charges emerged following alarming statements made during a welfare check, tying his threats to recent violence linked to political tensions surrounding the murder of conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk. Gokey, believed to be inspired by extremist views, is currently held in custody with a bond set at $250,000, amidst growing concerns over political violence and the responsibility of individuals regarding their speech and actions.

Phoenix, Arizona – Treven Michael Gokey, aged 49, has been arrested on felony charges for threatening an LGBTQ+ bar in Phoenix. The charges against Gokey include making a terroristic threat and using a computer to threaten. He is currently being held at the Maricopa County jail with a bond set at $250,000.

Gokey allegedly made threats to commit a shooting at a local LGBTQ+ establishment named Cruisin’ 7th. His statements indicated a desire to inflict harm as a form of retaliation, expressing that he believed “Charlie Kirk was a martyr” and he saw himself as “a martyr for Charlie Kirk.” These statements came to light during a welfare check carried out by law enforcement, where he expressed intentions to “harm others” to send a message.

The context of Gokey’s threats appears tied to recent events following the death of Charlie Kirk, a conservative podcaster and co-founder of Turning Point USA, who was killed while hosting a debate at Utah Valley University last week. Authorities have identified a suspect, Tyler Robinson, aged 22, in connection with Kirk’s murder. In the wake of his death, there have been threats against various institutions, including the Democratic National Committee headquarters and several historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), leading to evacuations and lockdowns. Although these threats were reported, the motivations behind them have not been confirmed, and discussions have emerged blaming “the left” for Kirk’s murder, with some calling for revenge.

Gokey’s statements included derogatory remarks about transgender individuals and referenced the idea that “radical left violence breeds a far-right response,” specifically mentioning Kirk’s murder alongside two recent shootings in Minnesota and Tennessee. The discussions surrounding these events have led to heightened tensions, particularly regarding issues of violence associated with political ideology.

Looking at the broader spectrum of threats and violence in the United States, a review conducted by the U.S. Secret Service Threat Assessment Center highlighted that from 2016 to 2020, nearly 96% of mass attack perpetrators were identified as cisgender men. In a separate analysis of over 4,600 mass shootings that occurred between 2014 and 2024, only six incidents involved transgender suspects, which accounts for approximately 0.128%. This statistic becomes particularly significant when considering that transgender individuals make up about 1% of the U.S. population, indicating they are less likely to be involved in mass shootings when compared to the overall population.

As Gokey remains in custody, the case brings to light ongoing discussions surrounding political violence, the responsibilities of individuals regarding their speech and actions, and the potential for extremist views to lead to real-world threats. The intersection between the rise of heated political rhetoric and potential acts of violence remains a topic of concern for many communities.