Jury Finds Lewiston Man Guilty of Making Violent Threats to Kill Local Prosecutor, Defense Attorney, and Commit Mass Murder

Spokane, Washington - United States Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref announced that a jury returned a verdict in the trial of Trevor J. Lunney, age 39. Lunney was found guilty of making threats to kill his lawyer, his prosecutor, and members of the public.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial in July of 2022, while on Washington State community custody for a previous conviction involving threats to kill, Lunney texted his state Department of Corrections (DOC) community corrections officer, among other threatening statements, that ". . . in 19 days, mass violence becomes inevitable." Lunney also discussed with his DOC officer his plan to commit a school shooting at an Asotin County School District School he stated would be "Sandy Hook Part II" and to commit a mass shooting at a parade at the Asotin County Fair. Upon being contacted by DOC officers, on July 18, 2022, Lunney continued to make specific threats regarding his plans to commit a mass shooting and, upon being evaluated by a mental health professional issued additional threats including his five-year-plan to "right injustice" by going to the Asotin County Fair Parade and live streaming his opening fire on a crowd. Lunney also made repeated statements regarding his access to firearms at that time.

Later that same day, July 18, 2022, Lunney was arrested by the Clarkston Police Department for his threats to commit mass shootings and was taken into custody at the Asotin County Jail where he remained in custody on felony charges, brought by the Asotin County Prosecutor's Office, for his threats.

Over a period of months while in the Asotin County Jail on the charges for the July threats, Lunney made a series of calls and emails and sent letters to family members and others, all of which he was told were being closely monitored at that time by law enforcement. In his monitored in custody communications, Lunney repeatedly expressed his anger towards the criminal justice system in general and the assigned Asotin County deputy prosecutor as well as his own defense attorney in particular. Lunney also repeatedly discussed his plans to obtain an AR-15 and commit mass murder based upon his specific plans to "do pure evil to countless souls."

On December 5th, 2022, while awaiting trial for the July threats, Lunney's anger towards the local criminal justice system culminated in an email he sent from the Asotin County Jail where he stated, "I want to have a murder-suicide with my lawyer when I leave here. . ." and "I want to kill my lawyer and the prosecutors when I get out. . ." referencing "attacking a crowd" and that stating that "I can't even say what I have planned."

United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice presided over the two-day trial for Lunney, which began December 9, 2024. Sentencing in this matter is set for March 13, 2025, at 10:00 am in Spokane, Washington.

"Mr. Lunney made terrifying threats to commit violence to include murdering his lawyer, the Asotin County Prosecutor, and plans to carry out a mass shooting targeting people at public events and children attending school," stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. "The verdict announced today will keep Mr. Lunney in prison and will hopefully allow him to get the mental health treatment he needs. I am thankful for the investigators and prosecutors who successfully tried this case and work every day to keep our communities safe and strong."

"Threats of violence have serious consequences as they disrupt lives, incite fear, and post significant risks to the community," said Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI. "The FBI takes all threats of violence very seriously and will work alongside our partners to keep our communities safe."

This case was investigated by the FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tyler H.L. Tornabene and Dan Fruchter.

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