Amid Ongoing Controversy, Mizzou Police Arrest Suspect Accused of Online Threats (UPDATED)
As the University of Missouri continues to observe the fallout from the resignation of its president and chancellor, local authorities have been investigating a number of online threats towards the school. This morning, the Mizzou University Police Department announced that they have placed a suspect under arrest.
#BREAKING: University of Missouri police announce arrest of suspect who posted threats on YikYak. #Mizzou pic.twitter.com/yFhAxOe6gg
— 41 Action News (@41ActionNews) November 11, 2015
Yesterday, the MUPD sent out an email asking that as protests continue, people should report any hateful and/or hurtful speech or actions they observe on campus. While this email has faced questions over its implications over criminality and the First Amendment, the police has been focusing for the past day on threats posted on Yik Yak, some being racially-charged.
“I’m going to stand my ground tomorrow and shoot every black person I see,” said one post. Another message said “some of you are alright. Don’t go to campus tomorrow.”
R. Bowen Loftin, the outgoing chancellor, has posted numerous messages on Twitter stating that police were looking into the threats, and urged students to take the cops on their offer and report anything they saw. He also confirmed the MUPD’s arrest with this post.
Have apprehended suspect who used multiple accts to threaten @Mizzou students. He was never physically near campus @MUalert
— R. Bowen Loftin (@bowtieger) November 11, 2015
UPDATE – 10:07 A.M. EST The Columbia Missourian posted a statement from the MUPD about the arrest. The suspect as been identified as Hunter M. Park, who is being held on bond, and a report from ThinkProgress states that he is not a student at the school:
.@MUPDpolice has released a statement about the arrest made concerning threats to the #MIzzou campus. pic.twitter.com/65MUwVA9FS
— Columbia Missourian (@CoMissourian) November 11, 2015
UPDATE – 10:34 A.M. EST Alan Burdziak, a crime reporter for the Columbia Tribune, tweeted Park’s mugshot, courtesy of the Boone County Jail.
Here’s a mugshot of Hunter M. Park, 19, arrested on suspicion of making a terrorist threat at #Mizzou last night pic.twitter.com/KLc2edmNjM
— Alan Burdziak (@AlanBurdziak) November 11, 2015
UPDATE – Nov. 12, 10:51 A.M. EST A second man, Northwest Missouri State Unversity freshman Connor B. Stottlemyre was taken into custody Wednesday on suspicion of making terrorist threats. Police say Stottlemyre made comments on Yik Yak threatening violence against black students.
[h/t Fusion]
[image via wikimedia commons]
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