A scene of deliberate destruction unfolded at Illinois State University as a Turning Point USA table, prepared for an event with Alex Stein, was violently overturned. Flags were ripped down, materials scattered, and the incident was captured on video, quickly circulating online.
The perpetrator was swiftly identified as Derek Lopez, a 27-year-old graduate student and, disturbingly, a teaching assistant at the university. His actions weren’t simply a moment of impulsive anger, but a calculated act of disruption against a group exercising their right to free speech.
Initial consequences were immediate. Lopez was arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Damage to Property by the Illinois State University Police Department. The university itself acted quickly, relieving him of his teaching assistant position.
However, the incident at the university table proved to be a chilling prelude to a far more serious escalation. Reports surfaced alleging that Lopez’s animosity extended to threats of extreme violence against a prominent political figure.
Federal authorities allege Lopez made direct, menacing threats against former President Donald Trump, posting disturbing content online. One post reportedly included a video depicting a graphic of Trump with a target, accompanied by a simulated weapon.
The timing of these threats, according to investigators, was linked to the ongoing government shutdown, suggesting a deliberate intention to exploit a moment of national tension. He allegedly stated his intent to kill the former President.
Facing federal charges, Lopez could potentially receive a five-year prison sentence if convicted. The FBI director condemned the threats as “heinous” and vowed to pursue justice for anyone who targets public officials or citizens with violence.
The culmination of the investigation led to a traffic stop in El Paso, Illinois, orchestrated jointly by local police and the FBI. Lopez was apprehended without incident, his dog safely secured while agents conducted their investigation.
Following questioning by FBI and Secret Service agents, Lopez was booked into Woodford County Jail, now facing the gravity of federal detention. The arrest marked the end of a disturbing chain of events, born from a campus disruption and escalating into a serious threat against a former President.
