A Mizzou Suspect Has Been Arrested

A suspect has been arrested for making death threats against black students at University of Missouri. The University of Missouri police have arrested Hunter M. Park for allegedly making terrorist threats on YikYak and other social media platforms against students protesting racism on campus. The arrest is just the latest episode in a turbulent few months for the university, which started with multiple incidents of racial hostility and culminated in two of the school's top officials stepping down. But as the online harassment proves, the protesters' work is far from done.

According to a police statement, Park was apprehended at around 1:50 a.m. Wednesday in Rolla, Missouri, and was taken to the University of Missouri Police Department in Columbia. The 19-year-old is suspected of making a terrorist threat on YikYak, but authorities could not provide any further details at this time. They will launch a full investigation into the matter.

After University of Missouri President Tim Wolfe's resignation Monday, several online users began making violent threats against the school's black students. Using the anonymous messaging app YikYak, one student wrote, "I'm going to stand my ground tomorrow and shoot every black person I see." "Stand my ground" refers to the Stand Your Ground law, which George Zimmerman used as the basis of his defense for shooting unarmed black teen Trayvon Martin. Another message ominously, cryptically read: "Some of you are alright. Don't go to campus tomorrow."

In addition to messages of a threatening nature, several other users expressed their opposition to the protesters in other ways. One student wrote:

I am a white man and I'm being oppressed because I’m missing classes that I pay for because grad students are walking out because of black protests.

Another vented:

Dear black people. Sorry I’m white! Just remember though! You get $10,000 diversity scholarship to come here. I don’t. #minorityprivelage[sic].

The intimidation didn't end with online messages, however. Several Mizzou students have also reported being confronted by groups of white students chanting "white power," while others say they were circled by white students in pickup trucks. And during a meeting between Black Caucus members and the student group Concerned Student 1950 at the Black Culture Center on Tuesday, someone called in and made a threat. As a result, countless students have fled campus out of fear for their safety.

The messages, intimidation, and general attitude exhibited by these white students are concrete proof of the hostile environment the protesters have been calling to be addressed, and they underscore just how urgently action is required.

This story is developing ...

Image: The University of Missouri Police Department