FBI: Mom bought mentally ill son 4 guns. He threatened to kill Whitmer — or 'anyone who tries to take my guns'

With the help of Google, the FBI arrested a man with a history of mental illness who threatened to kill Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, other Democrats, federal agents and LGBTQ individuals he referred to as "freaks" who "deserve to die," according to a new criminal case unsealed Friday in U.S. District Court.

The case involves a 30-year-old Sebawaing resident named Randall Robert Berka II, whose mother bought him three long guns and a pistol over the last year despite his history of mental illness. He was involuntarily committed for mental health treatment in 2012 and declared legally incapacitated by the state of Michigan, which prohibited him from owning a gun, according to the criminal complaint.

The mother, however, eventually feared her son's mental health treatment was not working and grew scared of him — so much so that she cooperated with the FBI in securing criminal charges against her son this week, authorities said.

Google reports threats made on YouTube

"Michelle is scared of Berka, does not think the mental health treatment is working, and believes Berka should be arrested and put in prison," an FBI agent wrote in an affidavit, noting the mother also said her son is a regular pot user.

Berka II, who was arrested on Thursday at his home and charged with illegally possessing firearms, landed on the FBI's radar after making numerous threats over YouTube to kill FBI agents, members of the LGBTQ community, President Joe Biden and Whitmer.

According to the criminal complaint, it was Google that alerted the FBI about the threats, triggering an investigation that led federal agents to Berka's house.

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'I am willing to kill these people'

Among Berka's statements that raised red flags were:

“(H)ey fbi! My name is randall the 2nd and I live in sebewaing Michigan and I am willing to kill these people … I’llkill anyone who tries to take my guns. ANYONE. I AM DONE. TRY TO CONFISCATE THEM FROM ME AND I WILL KILL.”

“Im more than willing to kill whitmer and I do live in Michigan. Ill assault her ugly face with my bullets."

“trans freaks and gays ... they all need to die."

“im going to kill these democrats biden deserves to die”

He also talked about using his gun "on a drag show" and ripping "the whole crown of freaks" apart, and killing FBI agents.

"I'll shoot the FBI if they ever show up ... if fbi ever shows up to talk to me ill just shoot at them”

Uses marijuana daily, has guns, ammo and body armor

U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison thanked Google for the heads up. “I applaud Google’s vigilance in this matter, and we hope members of the community will, likewise, pay attention and report such conduct to law enforcement,” she said in a statement Friday.

After learning of the comments, the FBI visited Berka's mother on Thursday at her workplace, where she disclosed the following:

She advised the FBI that her son was previously involuntarily committed for mental health treatment, takes medication, uses marijuana daily and has four guns in his bedroom — guns that she bought for him — along with ammunition and body armor.

The U.S. Attorney's Office declined to comment on whether charges would be brought against the mother.

Berka is jailed pending a detention hearing on March 15, when a judge will decide whether to release him on bond or keep him locked up pending the outcome of his case.

Federal prosecutors plan to ask the judge to keep Berka locked up.

If convicted, Berka faces up to 15 years in prison.

Contact Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: FBI: Mom bought mentally ill son guns. He threatened to kill Whitmer.