On Wednesday morning, Hunter Park was arrested by police after linking him to posts made on a messaging app called Yik Yak. Park allegedly wrote that a mass shooting would occur campus at the University of Missouri and allegedly threatened "to shoot every black person I see," according to NY Daily News.
Park, 19, was attending the Missouri University of Science and Technology, located in Rolla, Mo., when he was arrested. The police searched his room for weapons, but came up empty-handed. Park was taken into police custody Wednesday at 1:50 a.m. Prior to the arrest, campus police expressed that the students weren't in in any danger.
"[University of Missouri] must not lose perspective during this critical time. I know that some of our students, staff and faculty are feeling insecure," said Hank Foley, the interim chancellor.
"I want to assure them that as we move forward toward a brighter future, we are here, standing together and working hard not only to assure their safety, but also to assure that every member of our Mizzou family is getting the individual help they need to make the most of the opportunities offered here," said Foley, reported USA Today.
"Students need to be aware of what is going on, but right now there is no active threat on campus," said Brian Weimer, the police spokesman, according to CNN. "The campus is not on lockdown. There is heightened awareness due to the national attention we are getting, but again the reports you are seeing on social media are largely inaccurate."
"We want to support them while continuing to assure an atmosphere of security and opportunity for all," said Garnett Stokes, the executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost, according to USA Today. "This can be a wonderful learning experience; we must treat each other with respect. We can and will look beyond our differences and heal the wounds that some have experienced."
Wednesday morning, the University of Missouri sent out a notice saying that classes would continue as scheduled and that it increased the number of available counselors for students who needed to talk.
Park is currently being held in Boone County Jail and he will be charged with making a terrorist threat. His bond was initially set at $4,500, but instead he is being held without bond due to a ruling by the judge.
