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Man Makes 'Bullet To The Head' Threat Against State Senator

By Jennifer Brice

ARVADA, Colo. (CBS4)- Republican State Senator Laura Woods is back on the campaign trail, knocking on doors. Her efforts were halted this weekend after she says she got a private message on Facebook with a serious threat against her.

"He (the suspect) was going to shoot me and my family in the face," she recalls. "And if we knocked on his door he would deliver a bullet to the head."

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(credit: Facebook)

Woods immediately called police. Dylan Hopkins, 21, of Arvada was arrested on harassment charges.

Woods, her volunteers and supporters are avoiding the area where Hopkins lives as a precaution.

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Laura Woods (credit: CBS)

The suspect lives with his parents in Arvada according to his mother who spoke to CBS4's Jennifer Brice. She did not want to talk on camera.

Hopkins mother was very emotional and wants to personally apologize to Senator Woods for the alleged threats her son made via Facebook.

The suspects mother says they do not have a gun in their home. She was surprised and distraught by the things her son allegedly said in the direct message.

On Hopkins' Facebook page, many of his posts do involve politics. Woods says she has empathy for his parents.

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Dylan Hopkins (credit: Jefferson County Sheriff)

"You raise your kids and we don't hold parents responsible but I do have a lot of empathy because they're going through this with him," said Woods.

Woods says in her two sessions of serving in the Colorado state Senate, she's never been threatened.

facebook-threat
(credit: CBS)

"This was a threat of physical violence against my family," she says. "I live with my husband, son and daughter in law and two grandchildren. The kinds of things he's said has taken this to a whole new level."

Woods bond is set at $1,000. One of his parents will have to co-sign for him for the bond.

The senator also now has a protection order in place so Hopkins must leave her alone. His case has been postponed for arraignment on Oct. 12.

Jennifer Brice is a reporter with CBS4 focusing on crime and courts. Follow her on Facebook or on Twitter @CBS4Jenn.

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