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Nicholas John Roske, the man who allegedly attempted to attack Brett Kavanaugh, called 911 before his arrest and told operators that he had suicide tendencies and needed professional help.
On Wednesday, 26-year-old Nicholas John Roske called 911 twice while outside the house of Associate Justice of the US Supreme court, Brett Kavanaugh. In charging documents, federal prosecutors accuse Roske of approaching Kavanaugh’s house armed with a pistol, a tactical knife, tactical gear and pepper spray.
Allegedly, Roske intended to kill Brett Kavanaugh. However, in recent audio recordings of the calls he made to 911, it seemed he was apprehensive.
He said:
“I am having- thoughts.”
In the second call, he said:
“I need psychiatric help. I have been hospitalized multiple times.”
According to the New York Post, Roske reportedly told officers he intended to kill Brett Kavanaugh as he believed it would force the Republican Justice to tighten gun laws. He also allegedly expressed his anger at the possibility that the Supreme court may overturn Roe V. Wade.
Why did Nicholas John Roske allegedly attempt to assassinate Brett Kavanaugh?
According to People, 2 U.S Deputy Marshals saw Nicholas Roske exit a taxi and approach the home of Brett Kavanaugh. As per an affidavit filed in support of the charges, Nicholas Roske was dressed in black and had a backpack and a suitcase in his possession.
In the press release, it was stated that Roske briefly looked at the marshals, then continued towards the house. It was then that he reportedly called 911, supposedly telling the operator that he had travelled from Simi Valley, California to Maryland to assassinate Brett Kavanaugh. He also explained his apprehension and suicidal thoughts.
According to the New York Post, he told 911 operators that he would surrender.
He said:
“I want to be fully complaint, so whatever they want me to do, I’ll do so.”
Soon after the call, authorities arrested Roske outside the home of the associate Justice. When his backpack was confiscated, police uncovered various weapons and pieces of tactical gear. It was at this moment that he allegedly told officers he had political motives.
On Wednesday, Attorney General Merrick Garland condemned the actions of Nicholas Roske in an official statement.
He said:
“This kind of behavior is obviously behavior that we will not tolerate.”
He continued:
“Threats of violence and actual violence against the justices of court strike at the heart of our democracy and we will do everything we can to prevent them and to hold people who do them accountable.”
In a leaked memo by the Department of Homeland Security, it was stated that attacks on justices may increase with the volatile political climate, especially with the controversy surrounding the controversial decision to overturn Roe V. Wade.
It said:
“(these attacks) are likely to persist and may increase leading up to and following the issuing of the Court’s official ruling.”
According to CNN, in the aftermath of the attack, security around the Supreme Court and its justices have been tightened. Nicholas John Roske is currently under police custody. He has been charged with attempt to murder. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
