Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 10:09 am
Sheriff: Arrest close in DSU bomb threat
Aimee Robinette
BC Lifestyles Editor
Published April 26, 2007 3:46 PM CDT
Local law enforcement officers are one step closer to identifying the person who generated threatening notes Tuesday on the Delta State University campus.
"We do have fingerprints being processed right now, and have several people of interest," said Bolivar County Sheriff H.M. "Mack" Grimmett.
Grimmett said his deputies had spent the morning patrolling the campus to assist the Delta State University Police Department.
With the threat of a bomb still looming, Delta State University students resumed classes this morning.
After "a sweep" of buildings on campus with bomb dogs and emergency workers, university officials felt comfortable enough to continue academic education.
The university released a statement which said, "Following a complete sweep of the campus overnight by law enforcement officers with trained dogs, the Delta State Police Department announced they found no suspicious devices anywhere on campus. The DSU Police were aided in their search by external law enforcement agencies trained in bomb detection."
The university received its first bomb threat in over eight years on Tuesday in the form of "flyers" placed around the campus. The generic flyers, found in Kent Wyatt Hall, the Robert-Laforge Library and other buildings, appeared to be computer-generated and officials suspect the flyers originated on campus and were printed on one of the university computer lab printers.
The flyer read the bombs were supposed to go off first on Wednesday and then on Thursday. A phone call from a male on campus reiterated the flyer's message. All phone calls made from the campus show up as 846-3000, the main number to DSU, but officials said they are still looking for the exact phone the call was made from.
University officials took the threats seriously and shut down all public access buildings, which included administrative and academic facilities. The dormitories and cafeteria remained open though closing them was on the table early.
Just before 1 p.m. Tuesday, the DSU police received a call from the Roberts-LaForge Library with a report of a note found in the first floor women's restroom.
Wednesday came and went without any excitement or suspicious activity, enough so that while DSU police remain cautious and heightened in their security efforts, life on campus resumed today.
"We will continue to perform targeted sweeps of buildings and there will be a police presence on campus. We have given safety the highest priority," said DSU President Dr. John M. Hilpert. "We are fully committed to finding and prosecuting the individual or individuals responsible for this crime. This was a threat against our institution and we do not take that lightly."
To that end, Delta State University Foundation is offering a $5,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of person or persons responsible.
The Delta State University Police Department, in conjunction and cooperation with local law enforcement, are currently pursuing numerous leads. No arrests have been made at this time.
Anyone with information can call the Delta State Police Department at 846-4155 or the Cleveland Crimestoppers number at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Additional information will continue to be posted to the Delta State Web site at http://www.deltastate.edu, as well as the University information line at (662) 846-INFO (4636.)
Aimee Robinette
BC Lifestyles Editor
Published April 26, 2007 3:46 PM CDT
Local law enforcement officers are one step closer to identifying the person who generated threatening notes Tuesday on the Delta State University campus.
"We do have fingerprints being processed right now, and have several people of interest," said Bolivar County Sheriff H.M. "Mack" Grimmett.
Grimmett said his deputies had spent the morning patrolling the campus to assist the Delta State University Police Department.
With the threat of a bomb still looming, Delta State University students resumed classes this morning.
After "a sweep" of buildings on campus with bomb dogs and emergency workers, university officials felt comfortable enough to continue academic education.
The university released a statement which said, "Following a complete sweep of the campus overnight by law enforcement officers with trained dogs, the Delta State Police Department announced they found no suspicious devices anywhere on campus. The DSU Police were aided in their search by external law enforcement agencies trained in bomb detection."
The university received its first bomb threat in over eight years on Tuesday in the form of "flyers" placed around the campus. The generic flyers, found in Kent Wyatt Hall, the Robert-Laforge Library and other buildings, appeared to be computer-generated and officials suspect the flyers originated on campus and were printed on one of the university computer lab printers.
The flyer read the bombs were supposed to go off first on Wednesday and then on Thursday. A phone call from a male on campus reiterated the flyer's message. All phone calls made from the campus show up as 846-3000, the main number to DSU, but officials said they are still looking for the exact phone the call was made from.
University officials took the threats seriously and shut down all public access buildings, which included administrative and academic facilities. The dormitories and cafeteria remained open though closing them was on the table early.
Just before 1 p.m. Tuesday, the DSU police received a call from the Roberts-LaForge Library with a report of a note found in the first floor women's restroom.
Wednesday came and went without any excitement or suspicious activity, enough so that while DSU police remain cautious and heightened in their security efforts, life on campus resumed today.
"We will continue to perform targeted sweeps of buildings and there will be a police presence on campus. We have given safety the highest priority," said DSU President Dr. John M. Hilpert. "We are fully committed to finding and prosecuting the individual or individuals responsible for this crime. This was a threat against our institution and we do not take that lightly."
To that end, Delta State University Foundation is offering a $5,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of person or persons responsible.
The Delta State University Police Department, in conjunction and cooperation with local law enforcement, are currently pursuing numerous leads. No arrests have been made at this time.
Anyone with information can call the Delta State Police Department at 846-4155 or the Cleveland Crimestoppers number at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Additional information will continue to be posted to the Delta State Web site at http://www.deltastate.edu, as well as the University information line at (662) 846-INFO (4636.)
