What started as a petty post in an online car group quickly escalated into a full-blown feud involving threats of violence, police intervention, and multiple conflicting stories from nearly a dozen people.
It all began when a man reported to the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office that another individual’s mugshot had been shared in a car enthusiast Facebook group. According to the report, the man whose image was posted responded with alarming threats, claiming he would “kill people” and had “nothing to live for.”
Shortly afterward, officers encountered the subject at a local gas station and spoke with him directly. He claimed he had been the one threatened, not the other way around, and said he only mentioned carrying a firearm to deter harassment. He reported being fearful and had blocked the other individual on social media, going so far as to send a message through a relative asking to be left alone.
Later that day, another person came forward at the sheriff’s office with a voice message in which the man allegedly threatened to “beat the [expletive]” out of him and warned that he knew where he lived. Police attempted to follow up, but the man had already left his home. Dispatch soon advised he was on his way to the Coal Grove Police Department.
At the Coal Grove station, the man told officers that two vehicles attempted to block him in at a residence, prompting him to call 911 and take photos of the scene. While speaking with officers, he was informed of the threatening messages he allegedly sent and was taken into custody.
A female witness who accompanied him corroborated the story of the attempted vehicle blockade and said they drove to the police station out of fear. Meanwhile, the occupants of the vehicles involved claimed it was all a misunderstanding and that they had simply taken a wrong turn.
As deputies unraveled the chain of events, it became clear the drama extended beyond the original online spat. The dispute appeared to stem from a romantic triangle involving a past altercation at the Ashland riverfront in Kentucky, where one individual had reportedly been “jumped.” One party accused another of spreading lies to instigate violence, while others denied involvement or claimed to be caught in the crossfire.
Statements, photos, and voice recordings have been collected as evidence, and the case continues to develop with potential jurisdictional involvement in Kentucky.
Dealing with Online Conflict Before It Turns Dangerous
This situation underscores how quickly social media disputes can escalate offline. Here’s how to keep online disagreements from boiling over:
- Don’t retaliate: If someone posts something inflammatory, don’t feed the fire. Report it, block, and walk away.
- Avoid threats: Even if you feel wronged, threatening violence—online or in person—can result in arrest or worse.
- Document everything: If you feel unsafe, save screenshots, messages, and recordings to provide to law enforcement.
- Involve authorities early: If you’re being harassed or threatened, go straight to the police before taking matters into your own hands.
- Set boundaries: Make it clear you don’t want further contact, and consider changing social media privacy settings.
In the age of digital feuds and fast-moving drama, keeping a cool head can be the difference between peace and prison.
