LBCC Student Arrested
Update 4:
Oregon State University has sent an email to all students and faculty stating that they were “mindful” of the impact of Christopher Strahan’s comments on Twitter.
“These senseless threats occurred at a time in America when we are all on edge and saddened following the recent attack at a Florida high school. Meanwhile, we all know too well that this latest violence in Florida followed numerous other shootings in America and many recent reported threats of violence directed at Oregon schools,” the email read.
The reported threats made by Strahan comes on the heels of a school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Strahan had compared himself to the alleged shooter, Nikolas Cruz, on twitter.
“There’ll be disorientation crying and a whole lot of emergency responders at orientation” one of Strahan’s tweets read.
“Oregon State University campus going to get shot up and who will be to blame” read another tweet from Strahan.
The Public Safety office at OSU became alerted to the threats at 12:02 p.m. yesterday.
“University staff and others responsible for incident response at OSU immediately assessed these social media posts. The group, which includes law enforcement partners from the Oregon State Police, quickly determined that the level of threat was not such that required a closure or evacuation of campus. In response, OSP acted immediately to locate and arrest the suspect, and lodge him in jail,” the email continued.
Update 3:
Christopher Adam Strahan was arraigned today on multiple charges.
Strahan, still in custody at the Benton County Jail, is charged with two counts of second degree disorderly conduct, two counts of menacing, one count of driving while intoxicated, and one count of first degree disorderly conduct.
Menacing, according to ORS 163.190 is when “a person commits the crime of menacing if by word or conduct the person intentionally attempts to place another person in fear of imminent serious physical injury.”
Strahan’s bond has been raised to $107,500.
Update 2:
The student accused as making violent threats towards Oregon State University has been identified as Christopher Strahan of Corvallis.
The Corvallis Gazette-Times reports that Strahan, 22, was arrested at around 2:30 p.m. outside a residence in Corvallis.
Strahan, who owns the Twitter account “Hard Belly Dorm” made several statements comparing himself to Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz, and saying that it would be “no fun” shooting people he did not know.
Strahan was charged with first degree disorderly conduct and is being held at the Benton County Jail on $12,500 bond.
Update 1:
The Commuter has come into possession several tweets made by the alleged suspect, including statements where threatens “to go Nick Cruz tomorrow” referencing the recent shooting at a Parkland, Florida high school that left 17 dead.
The suspect also threatened to “shoot up” the Oregon State University campus, and that he was going to “kill every person in this facility”
Follow @LBCommuter for further updates on this developing story.
Original Story:
A Linn-Benton Community College student was arrested Tuesday evening in connection to violent threats made against Oregon State University on Social Media.
“Oregon State Police have in custody the individual believed to have made social media posts today,” an email sent to OSU students read.
An earlier email sent to all OSU students said that police were investigating the threats made by “one individual” against OSU’s Corvallis Campus.
LBCC Students also received a message from the Public Safety office, confirming that the individual is an LBCC Student.
“We thank the LBCC students that came forward today in regard to the person believed to be associated with the OSU alert below,” the email said, “We will continue to monitor the situation.”
When asked for further comment, the Public Safety Office reaffirmed that the suspect is in custody and the threat is over.
The Commuter will update this story when more information becomes available.
