"On Wednesday, October 8, 2008, several campus e-mail clients received general but threatening e-mails. The author of the threat indicated that the unspecific action would take place on October 9. An Investigation is being conducted to locate the sender. Please report any suspicious activity to Campus Police.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the MTSU Police Department at 615-898-2424 or Crimestoppers at 615-893-7867."
Not really too big of deal. We get emails like this for everything. If someone gets looked at wrong, you can expect you to receive an email like this, therefore, I didn't think much of it.
Then on Thursday we got this email from the President of MTSU:
"A credible threat to our campus has been made. As a result, as of noon today, classes will be cancelled for the remainder of the week. Campus Police, in cooperation with local and state law enforcement officials, are actively investigating the situation, which involves a series of threatening emails and suspicious fires.
During this time, campus security will be increased. University offices will maintain normal business hours and other campus events will go on as scheduled. Following our regularly scheduled fall break, classes will resume on Wednesday, October 15. Employees are encouraged to report any unusual or suspicious activity to Campus Police. More information will be provided on the MTSU home page as details become available."
Apparently the "suspicious fires" consisted of all the burners of a stove in the dorms being turned on and a paper towel thrown on them, a towel on fire was thrown into a stairwell, and the third was just a pulled fire alarm. (this is all things that I just heard from other people so I am not completely sure of the accuracy)
What this email meant for me: My selection class that starts at 1pm was canceled, this meant that my validation project that was due on next Thursday is now postponed probably until the following Tuesday. This was very good for me since I haven't started on the project and it is a bunch of statistical goodness that I will need some time to figure out. It also meant that the practicum presentations that were scheduled for that evening had to be postponed, so it opened up my evening. This also meant that our fall break was extended. We don't have classes on Monday or Tuesday for fall break so it added to that.
So it was a pretty good situation for me, and it felt just like a snow day.
Thursday evening we received this email:
"Middle Tennessee State University Campus Police and Murfreesboro Fire Department have placed MTSU student Justin J. Davis under arrest in connection with threatening e-mails and dorm fires.
Davis, 19, was brought to the MTSU Police Department as a possible witness Thursday afternoon. He was later developed as a suspect after speaking with investigators. Investigators are working with Davis to establish a motive for the e-mails and fires. At this time, investigators believe Davis, a freshman majoring in the university’s pre-professional dental hygiene program, was working alone.
MTSU and MFD have filed multiple charges against Davis, including one count of terrorism and three counts of arson.
University officials expressed relief that no students, faculty or staff were injured as a result of this security incident. They also thanked local, state and federal law enforcement agencies for their excellent teamwork in the case.
Classes will still be cancelled tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 10, and students will be expected to return to class on Wednesday, Oct. 15, after the scheduled fall break. University offices will maintain normal business hours Friday and for the duration of fall break.
Employees and students are encouraged to report any unusual or suspicious activity to Campus Police."
So he pretty much ruined his life. But hey, I got out of school for it!
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