# I want to shoot him: Man threatened to assassinate Trump then convinced DA it was joke

> Man threatened to assassinate Trump as 'extremely poor joke' but feds charge him with threats.
- Title: I want to shoot him: Man threatened to assassinate Trump then…
- Summary: Man threatened to assassinate Trump as 'extremely poor joke' but feds charge him with threats. Christopher Vignogna, 27, faces up to five years in prison…
- Keywords: christopher vignogna, donald trump, federal court, new york, threats, doj, onondaga county district attorney, syracuse, crime, news, want, shoot
- Source: Law & Crime — https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/i-want-to-shoot-him-man-threatened-to-assassinate-trump-then-convinced-a-da-it-was-just-an-extremely-poor-joke-but-the-feds-arent-laughing-doj-reports
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: christopher vignogna, donald trump, federal court, new york, threats, doj, onondaga county district attorney, syracuse, crime, news
## Man threatens Trump assassination
Christopher Vignogna, 27, allegedly told a co-worker he wanted to shoot President Trump.

> Trump is coming to Syracuse. I want to shoot him
## Co-worker reports gesture
Vignogna made a gesture of a gun while saying he wanted to shoot Trump.
## DA dismissed as joke
Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick called it an "extremely poor joke".

> extremely poor joke
## Feds charge Vignogna
Federal prosecutors charged Vignogna with threats against the president.
## Charges include prison time
Vignogna faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
## Vignogna claims joking
Vignogna said he was just joking and didn't think he would be taken seriously.
## Colleague reported to police
Vignogna's co-worker told human resources and the Rome Police Department about his comments.
## Interviewed by authorities
On October 7, 2026, Vignogna was interviewed by USSS and Onondaga County sheriff.
## Vignogna asked for gun
Vignogna asked the co-worker twice if her boyfriend could buy him a gun.
## Co-worker refused gun
The co-worker said no twice, then repeated, "Trump is coming to Syracuse. I want to shoot him."

> Trump is coming to Syracuse. I want to shoot him
## Vignogna's next court date
Vignogna is due in court on October 30 for a preliminary hearing.
## Other colleagues report
Another colleague said Vignogna told him he wanted to "shoot everything up."
## Vignogna's motive unclear
Vignogna kept trying to talk politics with the co-worker even after she said no.
## Key takeaway

Christopher Vignogna, 27, faces up to five years in prison after allegedly telling a co-worker he wanted to shoot President Trump.