(UPDATED) Mizzou Campus On High Alert After Threats Of Racial Violence Hit Social Media

Dillon Cheverere10 years ago

The University of Missouri campus has descended into complete chaos.

A comprehensive breakdown of all the events leading up to the headline-grabbing student protest — where a communications professor encouraged nearby “muscle” to forcibly remove a student journalist for simply documenting a public protest on public property — can be found HERE.

Mizzou police also encouraged students to notify them if they hear anyone using hurtful or hateful language. Yes, that really happened, too.

The situation at Mizzou has now taken a very dark turn, as posts made on anonymous social media outlets warn students to stay away from campus Wednesday. The threats of violence have been targeted at “black people” and “privileged white people,” and, while I tend to believe these threats are intended to stir up more drama and will not be carried out, they certainly sound pretty terrifying and should be treated sincerely.

MUPD is taking the threats seriously and has increased security on campus, according to Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin.

We’ve also gotten word that Mizzou sororities and fraternities are on lockdown until the situation calms.

Here’s to hoping the storm over Columbia soon passes and the University of Missouri community gets back to business as usual before anyone gets hurt. We’ll continue updating this story as details unfold.

UPDATE: Suspect has been apprehended.

From MU Alert:

University of Missouri Police have apprehended the suspect who posted threats to campus on YikYak and other social media. The suspect is in MUPD custody and was not located on or near the MU campus at the time of the threat. We will update this website as additional information is confirmed. MU is operating on a regular schedule.

Finally, a positive development at Mizzou..

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