Manteca police have opened an investigation into online threats against Mayor Gary Singh as the Northern California city heads into next week’s elections.
The Manteca Police Department said it learned of threats directed at Singh, a Democrat, in a community Facebook group where someone suggested the mayor should be shot. Officers began investigating immediately and warned that threatening violence against elected officials or community members will “not be tolerated.”
“The Manteca Police Department wants to be absolutely clear: Threats of violence against elected officials, community members, or anyone else will not be tolerated in our city,” the department said in a statement. “Every person has the right to express their opinions, voice concerns, and disagree with elected leaders. However, there is a clear difference between expressing an opinion and threatening someone’s life.”
A screenshot of the alleged threat appeared in the Downtown Manteca Facebook group. “That Gary [Singh] is a piece of s—. Somebody just need to put a bullet right between his eyes, just a corrupt liar,” the message read. Police have not confirmed whether this specific post is the one under investigation, and the suspect’s identity has not been released.
Once the investigation concludes, the case will be forwarded to the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office for review and possible criminal charges, the department said.
Police also used the incident to warn against lesser election-related offenses. “Political disagreements should never escalate into threats, intimidation, or violence. This also includes vandalism, destruction, or burning of campaign signs, which may result in criminal charges,” the department added. “Our message to the community is simple: You have every right to disagree, but you do not have the right to threaten, intimidate, or harm others.”
Singh has spent more than a decade in local politics. He joined the city’s planning commission in 2011, won a city council seat five years later, and captured the mayor’s office in 2022. He is currently seeking reelection in November.
His tenure has drawn scrutiny on multiple fronts. The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office was recently notified of a possible election crime after Singh posted a social media video showing a local chiropractor offering $50 off services to people who vote for the mayor in November. Singh told KCRA that the chiropractor made the offer spontaneously and that neither he nor his campaign had requested, funded, or coordinated the discount.
During his 2022 mayoral campaign, political opponents accused Singh of a conflict of interest involving City Council votes tied to the Austin Road/Highway 99 interchange project, which was located near land partially owned by his father. The California Fair Political Practices Commission reviewed the complaint and formally dismissed the allegations in October 2023, finding no conflict of interest had occurred.
The threat investigation comes as Manteca prepares for next week’s elections with heightened police attention to political violence.