Pontiac, Mich. – Oakland County Executive David Coulter released the following statement in response to reports that Ferndale and the LGBTQ+ communities were among the potential targets of an attack by two men arraigned today in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on terrorism charges:

“Learning that Ferndale and the LGBTQ+ community were among the potential targets of a terrorist attack is disturbing. The pain of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy in Orlando, Fla. nine years ago while I was serving as mayor of Ferndale is still deeply felt in the community. I’m grateful for the FBI, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement for their diligence in seeking out and preventing what could have been another mass tragedy.”