What happens when a peaceful marathon is mistaken for a protest? In a surprising twist, Sean Klinger, a 53-year-old from Carmichael, called 911 to express his frustrations about what he believed were protestors disrupting his sleep during the Monterey Bay Half Marathon. Armed with an AR-style rifle and a grumpy disposition, Klinger made a threatening call at around 7:11 a.m. just as the marathon was getting underway.
Unfortunately for Klinger, he wasn’t dealing with any protesters—just a wave of enthusiastic runners. After hanging up, the police tracked him down and discovered not only his unsettling threats but also a handgun at his acquaintance’s residence. Investigators later found multiple firearms at Klinger’s Carmichael home, including some illegal assault rifles, leading to his arrest for criminal threats and potential charges in Sacramento County.
It’s a stark reminder that sometimes it’s not just the runners who need to cross the finish line. Instead of heading out for a jog, maybe Klinger should have tried counting sheep instead—to each their own, right?
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
