Threats on social media rattle University of Missouri campus
Reporting from Columbia, Mo. — Students at the University of Missouri were rattled Tuesday night by social media threats, which campus police were investigating.
In a post on the anonymous local social media site Yik Yak, one user wrote, “I’m going to stand my ground tomorrow and shoot every black person I see,” according to screengrabs shared by several students on Twitter.
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A separate post said: “Some of you are alright. Don’t go to campus tomorrow.”
University emergency officials released a brief statement: “MUPD is investigating reports. Please call 911 if immediately if you need help.”
The threats came after a semester of heightened racial tensions culminating with the university system president and the campus chancellor announcing their resignations Monday. Students urged each other to walk home in groups and to offer black students walking alone an escort home.
The Legion of Black Collegians canceled its meeting that had been scheduled for Wednesday. “There will be NO SENATE TOMORROW,” the group wrote on Twitter. “Stay home, stay safe.”
Students also reported that a man was rambling and shouting obscenities in the speaker’s circle by the university library.
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