LB Student Arrest Update
Former Oregon State University student and current Linn-Benton Community College student Christopher Strahan was arrested last week and was 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.
According to The Corvallis Gazette-Times, this is not the first time Strahan has made threats against Oregon State University. In February 2017, Strahan was arrested for making similar threats and was sentenced to 20 days in jail, along with three years probation.
Strahan sent out multiple tweets Monday Feb. 26, including a tweet bragging that it would be “no fun” to shoot people he did not know, a threat to to “shoot up” the Oregon State University campus, and that he was going to “kill every person in this facility.” Strahan also compared himself to Parkland Shooter Nikolas Cruz.
“Im going nick cruz tmro you’re all dead,” tweeted Strahan.
“There’ll be disorientation crying and a whole lot of emergency responders at orientation” read another.
“I’m creating gta missions to better train for shooting up OSU,” read another tweet, referring to the video game; “Grand Theft Auto V,” and its multiplayer scenario editor.
In an email sent out to all students Wednesday afternoon, the university said it was notified of Strahan’s comments around 12:02 p.m.
“The university messages were approved by public safety leaders and were sent at 12:52 p.m. via social media and followed by an email to approximately 32,000 student, faculty and staff. We also engaged in immediate communications with broadcast television and radio networks, newspaper and web journalists to share information, our assessment and safety procedures regarding this matter,” read the email.
Police arrived at Strahan’s apartment, located close to Oregon State University, around 2:30 p.m. on the afternoon of Feb. 27. He was taken into custody shortly thereafter.
According to the Gazette-Times, Strahan made an appearance in court the next day before Benton County Circuit Court Judge David Connell. After the hearing, Strahan’s bail was set at $107,500. If Strahan were to be released, Connell also ordered that he is to have no contact with Oregon State University or its students and staff, as well as being banned from possessing weapons, using intoxicants, and using social media.
Despite Strahan having posted multiple photos on Twitter of him smoking marijuana, and tweeting “I’m smoking weed on probation no grammy,”Strahan’s lawyer, Daniel Armstrong, entered a denial that his client violated his probation, according the the Gazette-Times.
Dave Henderson, Vice President of Finance and Operations at LBCC, sent out an email to the entire student body Friday morning, assuring the student body that the college is doing all they can to prevent Strahan from returning to campus if released.
“As many of you may be aware, a current LBCC student named Christopher Strahan was arrested this week in Corvallis and is currently in police custody. He made direct threats via Twitter to kill individuals, including students at OSU. He did not make any direct threats toward LBCC students, but since he is a current student, LBCC is taking action to exclude him from our campus and classes.” The email read, “LBCC will be notified of his release. When notified, LBCC will share information with students and staff.”
Henderson, in his email, also recommended that if any student finds this information distressing, they should make an appointment at the Counseling Center by calling 541-917-4780, or stopping by the desk in Takena Hall.
“LBCC thanks the students and staff who helped make us aware of this situation. We encourage all students and staff to speak up. Your instructors, Campus Public Safety, Counselors, Advisors, and all LBCC staff will assist you in reporting,” said Henderson in the email.
