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Authorities in Florida arrested a man who threatened a mass shooting at a grocery store where not enough people are wearing masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Robert Kovner, a 62-year old resident of Sebring, Florida. Kovner made his threat of a mass shooting at Publix through his post on Facebook.

According to the sheriff’s office, Kovner stated in his Facebook post that he was upset because not enough people are wearing a mask when they are out and about during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that people wear cloth face masks or coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Florida is among the states with the highest number of residents who tested positive with COVID-19. As of April 15, the state recorded 21, 865 confirmed cases and 614 deaths.

Making  a mass shooting threat is a crime

“We realize these are stressful times, but there is no excuse for making threats like this. It’s not a joke. It’s not just a bad day. It’s a crime. We will ALWAYS take them seriously and you will go to jail,” wrote the sheriff’s office in a Facebook post.

The sheriff’s office charged Kovner with a second-degree felony for making a threat of mass shooting. His bond was set at $30,000.

 Tampa inmate released from jail over coronavirus committed murder

Separately, a spokesperson for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Tampa, Florida said a man who was released from the Orient Road Jail, as part of the measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, committed a new crime.

On March 19, Sheriff Chad Chronister released 164 county jail inmates who committed low-level, non-violent crimes. The release was part of the effort to prevent the rapid spread of COVID-19 among inmates and jail staff.

On Monday, authorities arrested Joseph Edward Williams in connection with the shooting that happened on Ash Avenue on March 20 around 10:40 p.m.

Williams allegedly shot a man, who was transported by authorities to the Tampa General Hospital for treatment. The victim died. Authorities charged the suspect with second-degree murder, resisting an officer, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, heroin, and drug paraphernalia.