Press Conference: E-mails offer threats, no specifics on The Murfreesboro Post

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Press Conference: E-mails offer threats, no specifics

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By: Lisa Marchesoni

Posted: Thursday, October 9, 2008 5:19 pm

Emails sent to MTSU Police and faculty members Wednesday threatened “large scale destruction” if classes weren’t canceled, MTSU Police Chief Buddy Peaster said during a press conference Thursday.

After an intentional fire caused little damage later Wednesday in Miss Mary residence hall’s stairwell, MTSU’s Crisis Council decided to cancel classes Thursday at noon and Friday “to be safe,” Peaster said. Mid-term tests were scheduled this week with fall break scheduled Saturday through Tuesday.

“There’s a large possibility this was simply a hoax,” Peaster said, later adding, “We felt like we should err on the side of safety and caution.”

MTSU Police, joined by local, state and federal law enforcement officers, did not have a suspect, the chief said.

“We are hopeful, through an investigation, to name a suspect in the very near future,” Peaster said.

“We know it originated or came through a university computer,” Peaster said.

Peaster, two other police officers and a “handful” of people on campus received the email, the chief said.

Because of the nature of the threat, Gov. Phil Bredesen asked state agencies to join in the investigation for manpower and special investigative skills.

If the emails and arson are linked, Peaster said the suspect potentially faces federal charges. Police are looking at the emails and arson as a series of events.

From the Virginia Tech shooting, Peaster said university officials learned to notify the community and cancel classes. Faculty and staff members were not sent home and the campus was not evacuated. If evacuations were ordered, international students would not have a place to go.

Peaster said parents do not have to come and get their children from the campus but he would understand if they do.

Tagged under MTSU threat

Member Opinions:

By: Macgyver on 10/9/08
"From the Virginia Tech shooting, Peaster said university officials learned to notify the community and cancel classes. Faculty and staff members were not sent home and the campus was not evacuated. If evacuations were ordered, international students would not have a place to go."
I really hope they have a better reason for not telling the faculty and staff leave!!!