Records Show Suspect Who Threatened to Shoot Governor's Family Had Troubled Childhood, History of Violence

by John Gage

OMAHA – More details have emerged regarding the suspect of an online threat to commit a mass shooting at the Columbus school attended by Governor Jim Pillen’s grandchildren. Ean Halstead, 32, was arrested last month after he allegedly wrote online under the pseudonym “Bobby McGee” that he was going to “shoot up this school and kill Jim Pillen’s children and a few nuns for f—ing funsies.”

The Nebraska State Patrol announced on Friday that they had arrested Halstead after a standoff at his apartment in Omaha. On Monday, a judge set Halstead’s bail at $1,000,000, and Halstead has been charged with making terroristic threats and the destruction of evidence.

Records obtained by The Plains Sentinel reveal a history of violence, mental illness, and a troubled childhood.

‘Mental Illness’

Court records detail episodes of “mental illness” suffered by Halstead, according to his ex-boyfriend. Halstead’s ex-boyfriend told law enforcement that Halstead threatened to kill him in his sleep before “grabbing a butcher knife” and chasing him down the street.

In a later incident, Halstead reportedly told his ex-boyfriend he had “thoughts of killing” him following their breakup. Halstead then allegedly kept harassing his ex-boyfriend through texts, calls, and even showing up at his residence to vandalize it.

In another incident, court documents state that Halstead went into the bedroom of his ex-boyfriend and lit something on fire in front of a camera. Later, Halstead threatened to kill himself and slit his wrists.

The ex-boyfriend filed for a court protective order in 2022 against Halstead.

Indoctrination by ‘Cis Heterosexual Christian Men’

Halstead identified himself as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and was involved in the larger Omaha LGBTQ+ community.

Records show that he received a scholarship in back-to-back years from the Imperial Court of Nebraska, an Omaha LGBT nonprofit. In 2024, he was made a board member of the nonprofit.

The Plains Sentinel has asked multiple board members if they were aware of Halstead’s violent past when he was appointed to the board. The requests for comment were not answered.

In 2023, Halstead submitted testimony against a legislative bill introduced by State Senator Dave Murman that would have banned minors from attending drag shows. In his testimony, he criticized what he said was the “indoctrination of sexuality” by straight, Christian men.

“The only indoctrination of sexuality as a child I’ve experienced in my life has been from white cis heterosexual christian men,” he wrote. “Looks quite apparent to me that the closet is made of glass and this is some over powered sexually repressed closeted man’s need to control his own bizzare fantasies.”

Halstead praised drag, saying he would not still be “here” without it.

“For some kids that can be life or death when it comes to mental health,” he said. “Drag does a lot for the community. We exist and deserve to exist safely without some clown career politician jeopardizing that. Please say no to this bill for every queer kid sitting in some unsafe situation afraid to be themselves. I was that kid and if I did not find the lgbtq community and drag I would not be here.”

Childhood Troubles

The paper trail for Halstead’s childhood is thin, but several records appear to show a troubled childhood.

A 2002 notice in a Iowa newspaper reveals a custody fight between Halstead’s mother and his “punitive father” which caused Halstead to be placed for a period of time in the “custody and control” of Iowa’s Department of Human Services.

Halstead’s father passed away in 2008 when he was a teenager. Thirteen years later, Halstead wrote a short tribute to his father that he “never got to know” but “wish I could have before you passed.”

“Even though I only ever met you a few times as a child. I still grieve you,” he said.

Halstead’s mother could not be reached for comment on the story.

Facebook appears to have disabled or hidden the account on which he made the threat, and his fragmented social media presence reveals only a handful of details.

In a social media account that appears to be associated with him, Halstead lists himself as “young, gay, and easily bored.” In another, he reveals that he is a “socialist, psycho, [and] pagan.” Interactions from other accounts appear to show he had an interest in the occult.

In response to an inquiry of potential motive of the suspect, the Nebraska State Patrol told The Plains Sentinel that the agency does not comment during an active investigation.

Pillen Responds to Threat

Following a press conference on Monday, Pillen talked with reporters regarding the threat on his grandchildren’s lives, calling it “sobering.”

“We’re trying like heck to protect our babies. I mean, I got grandbabies that are going into fourth grade and freshmen, and those are hard subjects to talk about,” the governor told the Nebraska Examiner. “We got great people around keeping us safe, so we’re doing everything we can, but, yeah, it’s sobering.”

Pillen said he found “peace and comfort” in the state patrol’s quick response to the threat.

In a statement following his arrest, the Nebraska State Patrol said it uses “every resource available to protect students, staff, and our communities.”

“This investigation reflects the importance of preparation, collaboration, and the strong partnerships that allow swift and effective response to this type of incident,” Colonel Bryan Waugh, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol, said.

Halstead’s preliminary hearing is set for August 24.

— John Gage is the executive editor of The Plains Sentinel.