A Virginia man has been arrested and charged with making violent threats against Republican Delegate Geary Higgins and his family after the lawmaker condemned a racist sign targeting Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.
According to local reports, Patrick Murphy of Loudoun County was taken into custody on September 2 and charged with a felony for threatening to kill Higgins, the only Republican delegate representing the area. Authorities say Murphy also threatened Higgins’ children in the same message.
BREAKING: Virginia man Patrick Murphy ARRESTED after allegedly threatening to kiII Virginia House Delegate Geary Higgins (R) and his children.
Murphy reportedly sent a text to Higgins’ office that read:
“F*** off Geary. I will shoot u @ yer next public rally. Then send you… pic.twitter.com/mZc0EGbzwr
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) September 30, 2025
The threats came after Higgins criticized a sign used against Earle-Sears during her remarks at a school board meeting over transgender bathroom policies.
The sign, which read, “Hey Winsome, if trans can’t share your bathroom, then blacks can’t share my water fountain,” sparked condemnation from across the state. Earle-Sears, who is Black, spoke out at the meeting, saying that the message was both racist and demeaning.
Following the incident, Higgins released an advertisement denouncing the sign. In response, Murphy allegedly sent a message that read, “F*** off Geary. I will shoot u @ yer next public rally. Then send you memes with the photos. I know where your f***in kids are too.”
@grok missed this quote because of his sources and ??
Try Nick’s report. Rep. Higgins and his family will look over their shoulder
The Rest of their Lives 😢@NickMinock https://t.co/f8L9uNmFF1 https://t.co/KedAzbXZrP pic.twitter.com/Ta5oRWUWGy— Mary Gerdt Parler:Alvarita1 (@marygerdt) October 5, 2025
Loudoun County authorities arrested Murphy soon after the threat was reported. He was later released on a $2,500 bond and ordered to have no contact with Higgins or his family.
In a public statement, Higgins condemned the escalating rhetoric surrounding state and local politics. “Let me be clear: threats of violence have no place in our political discourse,” he said.
“I will not be intimidated, silenced, or deterred from doing the job I was elected to do — fighting for my constituents in Western Loudoun and Fauquier, and standing up for common sense.”
Higgins linked the incident to the growing hostility directed at conservatives in Virginia’s current political climate.
“Abigail Spanberger is telling her supporters to ‘let their rage fuel them,’ and my opponent is up on TV right now calling me a crook and a treasonist, and blatantly lying about my record,” Higgins said, referring to the Democratic gubernatorial candidate.
He also noted the dangers of dehumanizing rhetoric. “The last two sessions in Richmond we’ve been called every name under the sun,” he added. “It should be shocking to no one that continuing to call your political opponents names like ‘Nazis’ will ultimately lead to violence.”
Murphy’s case follows a series of threats and violent acts against public officials across the country, many of which have involved political motives. The Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office has not yet announced a trial date.
Loudoun Co. man accused of threatening to shoot state Del. Geary Higgins over text https://t.co/JL31wrw2Jn pic.twitter.com/XsBKaJWNpI
— Allison Papson (@AllisonPapson) October 1, 2025
