In a significant development in the cybersecurity world, a recent surge in online harassment has targeted multiple yoga studios after a controversial Facebook post by Linda Peterson, the owner of Luna Sheen Yoga in Port Charlotte, Florida. The post, which expressed disappointment that the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump was not successful, has led to widespread confusion and misdirected anger towards unrelated yoga studios across the state.
The Incident
On July 13, Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire from a rooftop while Trump spoke at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Although Trump was grazed by a bullet, the incident resulted in one death and two serious injuries before Crooks was neutralized by Secret Service agents. Following the attack, Peterson’s inflammatory post on Facebook read, “Damn it he didn’t die. Well, at least one supporter did. I’ll take what I can get. My heart goes out to the family of the shooter. Know that he died doing what needed to be done. Hopefully, someone will accomplish the task before we vote.”
Backlash and Mistaken Identity
The backlash was swift and severe, with Peterson’s business and personal social media accounts being flooded with negative comments. She responded by stating she hadn’t looked at her page in a long time and subsequently deleted all her social media accounts. However, the damage was already done, and several other yoga studios with similar names or in the same geographic area were mistakenly identified as being associated with Peterson.
Impact on Other Yoga Studios
One such studio, Centered Wellness and Yoga in Port St. Lucie, has been on “24/7 social media duty trying to delete all the negative posts,” according to owner Sarah DiMatteo. “The online threats have been frightening,” DiMatteo shared. “Some of the people who’ve come out to retaliate have been very menacing and threatening.”
Another studio, Luna Sol Yoga in Sebastian, Florida, also faced similar issues. Suzanne Bishop, the owner, stated that despite posting a disclaimer on the business’s website to clarify they had no connection with Luna Sheen Yoga, the harassment continued. “The messages and treatment we have received are really awful, with some being very harassing,” Bishop explained. “No one believes me when I say I am not Linda Peterson.”
Journey to Wellness at Serenity Gardens, another yoga studio in Port Charlotte, has also been a target. They posted on Facebook to distance themselves from Peterson, stating they have never been associated with her. Their voicemail was allegedly hacked, and they have contacted the police regarding the harassment.
Law Enforcement Involvement
Port St. Lucie Police Chief Richard Del Toro assured that they are taking the threats seriously. “This is unacceptable behavior in Port St. Lucie and we’re not going to tolerate it,” he told local news outlet WPTV. The police are documenting the incidents and closely patrolling the affected businesses.
Public Reactions
The Yelp page for Luna Sheen Yoga has been inundated with one-star reviews, condemning Peterson’s comments. One user wrote, “Regardless of your political beliefs/views, this world has no room for this kind of evil!” Meanwhile, many have shown solidarity with the wrongly targeted studios. One user praised Centered Wellness and Yoga’s staff as “kind, loving heart-centered individuals” and lamented the careless mix-up and its impactful consequences.
Final Thoughts
This incident underscores the importance of fact-checking and responsible online behavior. Misidentification and the subsequent harassment can have severe implications for innocent parties. As the affected businesses work to clear their names, it is a stark reminder of the power and responsibility that comes with online discourse.
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