Threat Deadline Passes:
The looming threat of violence has passed. A police warning, issued on Sunday, informed the Temple community of a potential violent threat against “a university near Philadelphia.” Fortunately, no related incidents occurred.
The threat came in the form an online post on 4chan the day after a shooting took place at a community college campus in Oregon. The online post predicted an attack on a university near Philadelphia at 2 p.m. Monday.
The post reads: “On October fifth, at 1pm Central time, a fellow robot will take up arms at a university near Philadelphia.”
University students throughout the area were on high alert Monday and many skipped classes.
Increased police presence was seen throughout Temple’s campus on Monday.
9:15 p.m. on Sunday:
Charles Leone, Executive Director of Campus Safety Services, issued a statement at 9:15 Sunday night about the online threat made against “a university near Philadelphia.” The statement reads, in part:
“I am sure many of you have safety concerns, and I wanted to let you know that we hear you. I also want to emphasize that we have received no information that there is a specific threat here at Temple.
At the same time, we have already taken actions to increase the security presence throughout the university tonight and tomorrow.
We continue to interact with local and federal authorities, as well as colleagues at other colleges and universities in the region. Law enforcement has received no additional information or any more specifics on the original threat.”
2:30 p.m. on Sunday:
Temple Police sent out an email notice on Sunday that informed the community of a threat of violence that has been made online against “a university near Philadelphia.” Police are unsure which university may be the target of the threat.
The ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) reports that the online post indicates an action could take place at 1 p.m. central (2 p.m. eastern) Monday, Oct. 5, 2015.
Although, law enforcement is not aware of a direct threat against Temple, Temple Police say they are closely monitoring the situation and keeping in constant contact with local and federal officials. Published reports say authorities at Drexel, Villanova, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Delaware and Ursinus College are taking similar precautions.
The university announced it will operate normally on Monday, yet with increased police visibility on and around campus.
The community is encouraged to be particularly aware of surroundings and report any concerns or suspicious activity to Campus Safety Services at 215-204-1234 (1-1234 from a campus phone).
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