West Michigan man found guilty of making threat of 'MSU Stage Act 2' in court days after campus shooting

(WWJ) — A West Michigan man has been found guilty of making threatening statements against public officials in the wake of the Michigan State University mass shooting.

Daniel Callahan of Fruitport was convicted Tuesday on charges of false report or threat of terrorism and using a computer to commit a crime. Each offense is a 20-year felony.

Callahan was charged last April for threats he made in a pleading he had filed with the Michigan Court of appeals in a civil case following a threatening statement made during oral arguments.

In February of 2023 while appearing before the Michigan Court of Appeals’ 4th District Court in Lansing, according to Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office, Callahan expressed frustration with the government by asking on the record, “What is it going to take, somebody to get shot before the State acts on it?”

Later that month, he filed a pleading in the same case stating that if the Court of Appeals and state Supreme Court did not act “lawfully” and grant his requested relief, they and other entities would earn a “future Performance Award for MSU Stage Act 2 West Michigan 2023.”

Court employees understood this to be a threat to commit a mass shooting similar to the one that had occurred at Michigan State University only ten days prior. Three students were killed and several others wounded when a gunman with no affiliation to the school opened fire inside multiple buildings on campus.

“Threats against public officials must be taken seriously, first and foremost, to protect their lives but also to protect the essential functions of our public safety and justice systems,” Nessel said, per a press release. “My office will hold accountable those who try to intimidate public servants with violence. I am thankful the jury saw the serious, dangerous and criminal nature of Callahan’s threats against the courts.”

A sentencing date has not yet been set by the court.