SPRINGDALE, Ohio -- An ex-manager of the Forever 21 in Tri-County Mall sent a series of ominous texts and voicemails threatening a mass shooting at the shopping center Wednesday afternoon, according to Hamilton County records of his arrest.
Jaime Bernard-Santiago was charged with aggravated menacing and inducing panic in connection with the threats, which police said he sent to a former co-worker.
According to an affidavit submitted by investigators, Bernard-Santiago texted the co-worker: "Hey have u ever encountered a mall shooter…thank god it is not me…they hated me for the beginning…are u there tonight??? Call the cops around 5…I will be there…awesome…"
Although he claimed throughout the messages he was steadily approaching the mall, police said they found and arrested Bernard-Santiago near Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport.
Bernard-Santiago is being held in the Hamilton County Justice Center on a $50,000 bond.
