A volunteer radio DJ tied to University of Massachusetts Lowell has stepped down after federal authorities became aware of a disturbing social media post calling for the killing of Vice President JD Vance. The message surfaced on Bluesky, a platform known for its largely progressive user base.
The account named hanslopez.bsky.social posted the alarming message.
“It’s simple, we kill JD Vance,” the user wrote.
The comment came in response to another post stating, “JD VANCE THINKS BRITAIN & FRANCE ARE AMERICAS [sic] LIKELY ENEMIES.”
The Radio Station Behind The Controversy
The user identified themselves as a volunteer host on WUML, a student-operated FM station funded by UMass Lowell. According to its website, the station has served “both the student body of UMass Lowell, and the greater Lowell community” for more than sixty years.
Its description adds, “Founded in 1952, WUML functions as a non-commercial FM station located in Lowell, Massachusetts, funded by the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, and fully managed and operated by student members, broadcasting both terrestrially and online.”
University Alerts Federal Agencies
Once university officials learned of the post, they contacted law enforcement. In a statement provided to reporters, UMass Lowell outlined its immediate response.
“UMass Lowell police promptly coordinated with the FBI, Secret Service and Haverhill police the same day to ensure an appropriate response,” the school said. “Contact was made with the individual in question, and the necessary assessments were conducted in collaboration with federal partners. Authorities confirmed there was no immediate threat.”
The United States Secret Service confirmed it was aware of the post. The Haverhill Police Department directed further inquiries to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which declined to comment.
Volunteer Host Steps Down After Inquiry
The school stressed that the message violated its principles. “UMass Lowell takes seriously any threat of violence involving our community. Statements such as the post in question are inconsistent with the values of our democracy and our university,” the statement continued.
The individual resigned from their volunteer role at WUML and removed the post from their Bluesky account. The university confirmed the person is an alumnus.
Deleted Posts And Ongoing Scrutiny
Several posts from the same Bluesky account, including the one targeting the vice president, have since been deleted. While authorities found no immediate danger, the incident has renewed attention on violent political rhetoric circulating online.
