Tavares event celebrating president's birthday subject of threats

TAVARES, Fla. — An event in Tavares on Saturday celebrating President Donald Trump's birthday and Flag Day has been the target of threats, organizers said.

Republican officials said they don't believe anything is going to happen, but in light of the recent shooting of a congressman in Virginia, they are not taking any chances.

"We're going to make hot dogs and cake, a real nice birthday cake,” said Ralph Smith, a Lake County State Republican committeeman.

Organizers were concerned when they received threats warning them not to have the event.

Officials said they are taking it seriously in the wake of the shooting at a congressional baseball practice.

Smith said he was shocked by the Virginia shooting, and immediately reached out to one of his friends.

"Congressman Dan Webster plays in a lot of those things. The first thing I did, was that I called one of his aides. She knew nothing about it, as far as he was concerned. But it was real shocking,” said Smith.

Smith said law enforcement will be on hand at the event and organizers will also be taking other precautions.

"This is Lake County and we have a strong police presence here.  We're, I believe, the second-highest percentage per capita conceal-carry permits in the state of Florida," he said. "We will be prepared. This the county where Peyton Grinnell is the sheriff, so we feel real safe about it."

Officials said the threats are not credible, but they will still take precautions out of an abundance of caution.

Cox Media Group