Sunbury firefighter resigns after viral posts, faces death threats

Sunbury, Pa. — A local volunteer firefighter resigned after his post regarding the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump went viral on social media.

"Too bad it didn't hit him square," Tony Bendele wrote in a Facebook post. Bendele is a well-known photographer and volunteer firefighter at Americus Hose Company in Sunbury, Pa. There was immediate backlash by commenters on Bendele's post, but things took a turn after screenshots of the post were shared by popular right-wing page, Libs of TikTok.

"Meet Tony Bendele, a firefighter in Sunbury, Pa. He's upset that the bullet missed. A bullet did hit Corey though, a rally attendee who was also a firefighter," wrote Libs of TikTok in their caption.

Monday morning, officials responded to a bomb threat at Americus Hose Fire Company, where Bendele had been serving as captain, in Sunbury. No bombs were detected and the all-clear was given shortly after 8 a.m.

While still under investigation, it's possible the bomb threat may have been connected to Bendele's viral social media post.

"A second investigation was made into the post by the volunteer firefighter and the Sunbury police department are working with the Northumberland County District Attorney's Office at this time on that investigation," said Sunbury Police Chief Travis Bremigen during a press conference on Monday.

That same day, Bendele resigned from his position as captain at Americus Hose Fire Company. "I can't do this," Bendele wrote in a post announcing his resignation from the fire company. "I have been threatened. My family has been threatened. My friends have been threatened. I have never felt so unsafe in my life."

Bendele has continued to post on his social media. "I do think I mishandled what I said in the moment, and I own saying the wrong thing," he wrote in one post. Bendele has also continued to affirm his political sentiments and disapproval for former President Trump. "I stand by my statements that the world will be better without Trump," he wrote.

"One member of our department does not reflect the beliefs or actions of our entire department," said Sunbury Fire Department Deputy Chief Jay Long during Monday's press conference.

Americus Hose Company resumed normal operations and the investigations into the bomb threat and social media post remain underway.