YouTube threats target trooper

Thousands of people angry over a video showing a Utah Highway Patrol trooper using a Taser on a man stopped for speeding have vented on the Internet.

But some are writing about more than just calling the UHP to complain, or debating the merits of a traffic stop.

"OMG this cop needs to be killed," one person wrote on the Internet site YouTube, where the traffic stop video was first posted.

"I'm seriously going to kill this cop!!! I'm going to utah," wrote another.

"Someone please gut this officer," another posted. "Let him bleed out on the side of the road."

Some of those online comments have prompted the Utah Department of Public Safety to investigate the seriousness of the threats, as state public safety officials decide what to do about the initial traffic stop near Vernal that has become an Internet sensation, viewed nearly a million times.

Some online posts also threaten violence against Jared Massey and his wife, who were pulled over in the videotaped traffic stop.

"Right now, we have no substantial evidence or concern that the officer's life is in danger, but we will follow up," UHP Sgt. Jeff Nigbur said Monday. "We also want to look into that on behalf of Jared Massey's family."

Massey wished the online threats would stop.

"I wish people would have some common decency every once in a while," he said Monday. "When I posted the video it wasn't to vilify the guy, demean him or destroy him, and that's one of the things I hate about this."

"I wish people would realize and think about this: Trooper Gardner is a real person, he's got a real family. Real lives are being affected," Massey added.

The Utah Highway Patrol has received thousands of phone calls and e-mails from people on both sides of the traffic stop debate. A majority say the trooper was wrong to use the Taser.

"I think mostly it's people blowing off steam, and that's fine," Nigbur said. "But you can't say you're going to endanger somebody's life."

Massey said his family also received a few calls criticizing their decision to post the video on YouTube. There have been online posts saying Gardner would have been justified in shooting the Masseys.

Massey called the posts "unintelligent" and said those behind the hurtful messages aren't adding anything to the debate over the use of Tasers by police. He still stands by his decision to post the video on the Internet.