At 6:40 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26, students were alerted to a possible on-campus threat by the Monmouth University alert system.
While the threat was not specified in the messages, the alerts emphasized that the matter was under investigation, that no threat had been confirmed, and that the campus was safe and operating as normal.
About five minutes later, a second e-mail was sent from William McElrath, Chief of the Monmouth University Police Department (MUPD).
He elaborated only slightly on the information, stating that, “University police began to receive phone calls concerning a possible threat to the campus.
The information concerning threats was being spread on various social media sights although no specific threat of any nature was mentioned.”
McElrath’s email explained that University police had been investigating the matter, and that at the time, an individual had approached a student and began asking questions that the student felt uncomfortable responding to.
After that student called the police, an investigation was made which found that no specific threats were made.
The individual then responded with comments that the student found uncomfortable and possibly threatening. Further investigation has revealed that there were no actual or specific threats made.
“Comments, which I am not at liberty to discuss as the matter is under investigation, alarmed a student. References to the incident were then posted to various social media sites, which raised the level of concern among students and others.”
According to McElrath, the matter was never determined to be a valid threat, but he believed that once the social media postings began to circulate, MUPD found it necessary to, “get the message out to the campus community that the University was safe and business was being conducted as usual.”
Screenshotted text messages detailing the alleged threat circulated social media on Thursday night, concerning Monmouth students.
According to the messages, a student near Lauren K. Woods Theater was asked questions such as: “are you a student here,” “do you have Facebook or friends that use Facebook Live,” “where are the Middle Eastern studies,” and “where would a lot of kids be at this time of day,” by an unidentified man that did not appear to be a student at Monmouth.
According to the screenshots, the man ended the conversation by saying, “Thanks so much, if you see this on Facebook Live just know you orchestrated it.”
However, according to McElrath, MUPD found that nobody was at risk and that the threat was not valid.
“I would just like to thank everyone for remaining calm while we looked into the matter and communicated that the campus was safe and secure,” McElrath said.
McElrath recommends that if anyone experiences anything suspicious or if anyone has any concerns regarding campus safety to please contact the University Police Department at 732-571-4444.
