GRANITE CITY, Ill. (KMOX) - A scrap yard belonging to Paul Thornton, brother of Charles “Cookie” Thornton, was raided Thursday in Granite City. Five years ago, Charles Thornton opened fire at a Kirkwood City Council meeting, killing six people.

The raid occurred at Scrap Solutions at 5567 Dial Drive and was conducted by the Metro East Auto Task Force. Paul Thornton told KTVI that he has been accused of car theft but denies those allegations. He added that the raid is a form of harassment scheduled on the anniversary of the Kirkwood shooting.

“I don’t know if they thought I was planning something on the anniversary of Cookie’s death. But, they got the wrong person,” Thornton told the TV station.

Madison County officials tell KMOX they are standing by in support of the operation.