The Denton Police Department in Texas said that a man was arrested for making “terroristic threats” near an IHOP at the University of North Texas and later a women’s center on Wednesday, June 15.
The man, identified as 28-year old Peshwaz Azad Waise, of Iraq, apparently tried handing out the Koran, telling them to accept the book and give it to the chaplin “or die,” the department said in a statement. He left before police arrived on the scene.
Waise was also “speaking irrationally and making comments about God and Allah,” Denton police added.
Police had contact with Waise four times between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Police cited him for trespassing at the university and told him to leave the premises.
After 8 a.m. Wednesday, police were notified of a man who walked into Texas Health Surgery Center in Denton. Inside, he apparently asked people to take a copy of the Koran, the Dallas News reported.
Later on Tuesday, he went to the courthouse and told security officers he was “the King.” Sheriff’s office deputies then escorted him outside the building.
“I’m imposing the death penalty,” he apparently said as he was being escorted. “Anybody who touches me is going to bleed,” he also stated.
Peshwaz was arrested for making terrorist threats and was taken to Denton County Jail and remains in custody. He has yet to be arraigned.
His vehicle is being processed by officials for precautionary reasons, the Denton Police Department stated.
An investigation is ongoing.
Lawyer Pete Schulte told the Dallas News that when he arrived at the courthouse, there was confusion.
“This is the first time I’ve seen this type of response,” the longtime lawyer told the paper. “But I’m glad they’re being prudent and investigating.”
Here’s the police statement, in full:
