Two arrested after threats made outside Sen. Jeff Flake’s office

PHOENIX — Two people were arrested Thursday after threats were made outside of Sen. Jeff Flake’s office in Tucson, officials said.

Flake’s office said a protester — later identified as 59-year-old Mark Prichard — had made a threat referencing the June shooting of House Majority Whip Steve Scalise at a baseball field outside of Washington, D.C.

Flake’s office said Prichard asked a staffer, “You know how liberals are going to solve the Republican problem?”

When the staffer replied in the negative, Prichard allegedly said, “They are going to get better aim. That last guy tried, but he needed better aim. We will get better aim.”

The Pima County Sheriff’s Office said it was notified around 9 a.m. about the threat. Deputies located Prichard outside the office near Oracle and Ina roads, but he was off the property.

When he was informed he was not allowed back on the property, he stepped back onto it and was arrested for third-degree trespassing. He was also charged with making threats.

The second person arrested, 70-year-old Patrick Diehl, was arrested shortly after. Deputies said he tried to force his way into the office when a staffer stepped out to pass out informational packets. He was also charged with third-degree trespassing.

The sheriff’s office said it did not know if the threat had been passed on to Capitol Police.

Other protesters remained peaceful.

Police also arrested five protesters outside of Flake’s Phoenix office on Thursday. They said four men and one women were told to leave the property near Camelback Road and 24th Street but failed to comply.

All five will likely face trespassing charges.

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