Authorities are investigating death threats made against “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling after she voiced support for Salman Rushdie.
Rowling posted a statement of support for Rushdie on Twitter after the famous author sustained serious injuries during a stabbing attack Friday. “Feeling very sick right now. Let him be ok,” Rowling wrote.
Shortly thereafter, a Twitter user responded by tweeting a death threat to Rowling. “Don’t worry you are next, ” the user wrote.
The author then issued a tweet to Twitter directly and quoted its own code of conduct. “These are your guidelines, right? “Violence: You may not threaten violence against an individual or a group of people. We also prohibit the glorification of violence…” Rowling wrote.
.@TwitterSupport any chance of some support? pic.twitter.com/AoeCzmTKaU
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 13, 2022
Warner Bros. Discovery addressed the death threats in a statement Sunday, supporting Rowling and freedom of speech. “Warner Bros. Discovery strongly condemns the threats made against J.K. Rowling,” they said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “The company strongly condemns any form of threat, violence or intimidation when opinions, beliefs and thoughts might differ.” (RELATED: Video Of Vape Store Owner Stabbing Alleged Attempted Thief 7 Times Goes Viral)
To all sending supportive messages: thank you 💕
Police are involved (were already involved on other threats).— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 13, 2022
“Our thoughts are with Sir Salman Rushdie and his family following the senseless act of violence in New York,” Warner Bros. Discovery went on to say, according to the outlet.
Rushdie was stabbed in the neck and torso on stage in front of several witnesses as he was preparing to deliver a lecture in New York. The famous author has been the subject of various death threats since the release of his book “The Satanic Verses,” which previously forced him into hiding for nearly a decade, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Rushdie was taken off a ventilator this weekend but faces a long road to recovery for what his son, Zafar, describes as “life changing injuries” that are “severe,” CNN reported. Attorney Jason Schmidt said Rushdie suffered three stab wounds to his neck, four to his stomach and puncture wounds to his right eye and chest, as well as a wound to his right thigh, according to CNN. He also revealed that Rushdie is at risk of losing his right eye, the outlet reported.
Rushdie’s 24-year-old attacker, Hada Matar, pleaded guilty to second degree attempted murder Saturday, and to assault in the second degree with intent to cause physical injury with a deadly weapon, according to CNN. He has been remanded to the Chautauqua County Jail.