Petaluma man arrested on suspicion of threatening school official over Pride flags

By Bay City News

A 54-year-old Petaluma man was arrested Wednesday afternoon on suspicion of making criminal threats against a Petaluma City Schools District official over pride flags, police said.

Josh Garzoli was taken into custody around 12:30 p.m. on Thursday by Petaluma police after a series of escalating incidents that reportedly began with a voicemail on May 30 demanding the removal of pride flags from school grounds, police noted.

In the message, Garzoli allegedly warned of “harsh consequences” if his demands were not met.
According to authorities, Garzoli appeared at the district office on Monday in an agitated state, again demanding the flags’ removal before leaving without incident.

On Thursday morning, a school official reported receiving an email from Garzoli containing explicit threats, including a statement that the administrator would be “executed” if the pride flags were not removed by the end of the school day, Petaluma police said.

Police said the message was specific, time-sensitive, and raised serious safety concerns.

Garzoli was arrested without incident by detectives and the Community Impact Response Team and booked on felony charges of making criminal threats. His bail was set at $750,000.