Investigation In To On-Line Threats Against EPD Continues

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EVANSVILLE -- Evansville Police continue to investigate threatening posts on the website topix.com. The posts, from the screen name "US ARMY" threatens to kill officers and their families. Another stated that the poster had American-made explosives adding, "Evansville will feel my pain."

Those threats prompted Thursday's SWAT raid on a home in the 600 block of Powell Avenue. One neighbor, who didn't want to be identified, said she heard the loud flash bangs and glass breaking as the team moved in.

"I heard a loud boom twice and I jumped up to see where my husband was. When I looked over I was really shocked to see they were going inside her house because it's only her and her granddaughter. What could they possibly be doing?"

But police say they were justified. They obtained a search warrant from a judge and recovered items from the home that are currently being analyzed. So far, no one has been charged or arrested as the investigation continues. But for those who know the woman who lives in this house, the raid came as a shock.

"[She] seems to be a God fearing person. When we first moved here she came and introduced herself. She's real good with my kids."

Police say if they had it over to do again they wouldn't change anything. Evansville attorney Mike Woods tells me the threats toward officers and their families as well as the city are not protected by free speech.

"The courts will go a long way to try to find ways to protect free speech," says Woods. "When you start talking about explosives you're really crossing a line where it's no longer free speech."

The neighbors I spoke to say, while they understand how serious the threat was, they don't think the use of a SWAT team and flash bangs was necessary.

"Maybe you should stake it out to see who was actually there and who wasn't. Maybe someone could have came and approached the older lady and just ask if she knows anything about what's going on ."

But Woods says, "Somebody from that address had issued a threat concerning explosives and making Evansville feel the pain so I don't think anybody's going to expect the officers to walk in their with just bubble gum in their hands."

Again, police have not charged the owner of the home with any crimes and they don't believe she or the granddaughter were involved. They are still analyzing evidence and following up on other leads.

CLICK HERE for the original story and Eyewitness News' exclusive video of the raid as it happened.