A 42-year-old woman from Lakeland, Florida, has found herself in serious trouble after allegedly making threats of mass violence during a phone call with her health insurance provider.
Briana Boston expressed concerning sentiments while speaking with a representative at BlueCross BlueShield, hinting at violent language reminiscent of a recent shooting involving the CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
Incident Overview
Her alarming comments led to her arrest at her home after local authorities were alerted.
Although Boston expressed regret for her remarks, she made it clear that she did not own any firearms.
She is now facing charges related to potential mass shooting and terrorism threats and is being held in Polk County jail.
The incident unfolded when Boston’s medical claims were denied, prompting her to contact the insurance company.
During her conversation with the agent, she used phrases that echoed the tragic shooting of Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO, which took place in New York on December 4.
Background on Related Shooting
Luigi Mangione, the suspected shooter in Thompson’s case, is currently in custody in Pennsylvania.
When questioned, Boston stated that her statements were not meant to be threats but rather a reaction to the overwhelming media attention surrounding recent acts of violence.
Interestingly, her choice of words has historical ties, appearing in Jay Feinman’s book, “Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It,” which sheds light on the frustrating experiences clients often encounter with their insurance claims.
Following the call, BCBS transcribed Boston’s conversation and sent the documentation to the FBI.
This information reached local law enforcement, leading officers to visit Boston’s residence the next day.
Concerns Over Copycat Incidents
In the wake of these events, both insurance industry leaders and law enforcement officials have voiced concerns about the potential for copycat incidents stemming from Thompson’s shooting.
Some individuals across the nation seem to empathize with the alleged shooter, expressing their frustrations over claim denials and the insurance process as a whole, raising alarms about the impact such sentiments may have on future behaviors.
Source: Insurancejournal.com
