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HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) — Police at the University of Southern Mississippi have arrested a 20-year-old man accused of make a social media threat.
The university said in news release that Brandon Hardin, a business major from Carriere, was arrested Monday and charged with posting a computer threat to cause injury, a felony.
Hardin is accused of having made an anonymous post on the social media application, Yik Yak, Monday morning that threatened members of the university community at Joseph Greene Hall, said USM Police Chief Bob Hopkins.
Hopkins said campus police are continuing the investigation following an interview with Hardin, but there has been no corroborating information or evidence to support a threat to campus.
The anonymous post — made on the Yik Yak app Monday morning — led campus police and administrators to issue an Eagle Alert to students and parents and increase security in and around Joseph Greene Hall.
The 11-word two-sentence post also recommended students miss class today at "JGH."
"The quick arrest is a credit to good and efficient detective work. This incident should serve as another reminder that safety is of primary importance to The University of Southern Mississippi, and you are responsible for what you post on social media," Hopkins said at a news conference.
USM police said earlier Monday that Yik Yak officials had cooperated with the investigation. The social media app is prevalent on high school and college campuses nationwide.
The anonymous post — made on the Yik Yak app Monday morning — led campus police and administrators to issue an Eagle Alert to students and parents and increase security in and around Joseph Greene Hall.
JGH is also known as Joseph Greene Hall on campus and houses the College of Business.
It was unclear whether Hardin has an attorney.
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