Florida authorities have arrested a Kansas man, Korby Allen Strube, 29, for allegedly posting threats to kill conservative commentator Ben Shapiro. The arrest became public just days before Shapiro revealed in a CBN News interview that he and his family have been under constant armed security for the past decade due to persistent threats. Strube now faces nearly a dozen charges related to allegedly threatening to kill or cause bodily harm, according to police records.
Investigators assert that Strube utilized the social media platform X to publish a series of antisemitic messages directed at Shapiro throughout late July and early August. One post, dated July 31, allegedly read, "I'm going to kill be Shapiro and hes not gonna be a-live." Days later, another message reportedly warned, "I'll kill you just the same. Go meet Jesus. 51 days left." A separate alleged post stated, "Die with Jesus … I'll kill you just the same I guess. 52 days." Police noted that the numbered countdown embedded in these messages appeared to correspond with the calendar date of this year’s Yom Kippur observance. Other alleged posts explicitly declared Shapiro would die "for being Jewish" and included an antisemitic slur.
The alleged threats were not solely directed at Shapiro. Investigators indicated that Strube also referenced President Trump and the Obama family in his social media posts. Additionally, Strube reportedly suggested, without providing any evidence, that his own online conduct had played a role in the death of fellow conservative figure Charlie Kirk, according to police statements.
The alleged plot was initially uncovered by a private security firm working on behalf of Ben Shapiro. This firm identified the concerning posts and promptly notified law enforcement. The security professionals characterized the messages as carrying "genuine weight," describing the threats as "not veiled" and highlighting their "level of gravity." Using the account information, detectives were able to trace the origin of the posts to an address just outside Topeka, Kansas.
Upon locating Strube at his parents' residence, investigators questioned him about the social media activity. According to police, Strube confirmed that he had authored the posts. He then offered what authorities described as a "bizarre explanation," claiming that government agents were secretly communicating with him through music lyrics and presidential speeches. Strube’s parents informed police that their son had never received a diagnosis for any mental illness. They also cooperated with officers, opening their home’s gun safe and assuring police that Strube had no means of accessing the weapons stored inside.
Public records indicate that Strube had previously worked in information technology. However, he had been unemployed and residing with his parents for approximately two years prior to his arrest. Florida authorities carried out the arrest, and Strube currently awaits legal proceedings on the threat-related charges filed against him. He remains in custody as his case progresses through the Florida legal system. Authorities have not yet indicated whether further charges against Strube could be filed.
The incident underscores the heightened security challenges faced by prominent public figures. In his recent interview with CBN News, Shapiro elaborated on how deeply security concerns have integrated into his family’s daily life. "Literally when I go to my kid’s basketball game I’ve got a couple security guards with me," he stated. He added that even mundane activities necessitate protection: "When I’m going to the grocery store I have to have security follow me to the grocery store. That’s just a reality of life." These comments came as police continued to compile the full timeline of alleged threats against him. This event marks another instance in a series of threats directed at notable conservative commentators in recent months.
