Police investigating threat made on MU’s campus

Tensions are still high on the University of Missouri campus after a threat was made to burn down the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center on Tuesday.

The threat was made online, where MU students can post anonymously.

The University of Missouri police department is still working to figure out who made the threat.

Police told ABC 17 News while there is not an officer at the Black Culture Center 24/7, they are monitoring it closely.

The threat read: “Lets burn down the Black Culture Center and give them a taste of their own medicine.”

The threat was posted on Yik Yak, a website that allows MU students to chat with one another anonymously.

“I thought that was disgusting,” MU student Isaiah Edoho said. “I think that it’s a situation where there is a lot of wrong on both sides and the way that we shouldn’t handle that is anger.”

Representatives of the Black Culture Center declined to comment Wednesday.

“I just think it was totally out of line. I really love how the Chancellor took note of that and sent out emails and was saying that we should be one Mizzou, and that we should not discriminate between any groups, so I really did appreciate that,” said Kimani Davis, an MU student.

Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin posted this on MU’s website after the threat was made:

“Senior administrators have been made aware of many racist, threatening and disturbing comments posted on anonymous social media sites such as Yik Yak and Erodr. The context of these statements makes it likely that the individuals posting them are students at MU.”

“I am shocked and disappointed that members of our student body would participate in such hateful and hurtful speech that perpetuates negative stereotypes of black students.”

“The behavior we are seeing on these anonymous social media sites is deplorable and unworthy of this institution and its values. I remind you that a core value of our university is Respect. These statements have a chilling effect on discussion that is intended to improve our campus climate and ensure freedom of expression for all students in a safe and inclusive environment.”

“I urge every member of our student body to consider their statements and how they affect their fellow students.”

The threat was made after a peaceful demonstration at the student center.

“It was a peaceful protest to show that we are one Mizzou, and we are standing behind Michael Brown one hundred percent. We do deserve justice in our community, especially in the black community and minorities in general when it comes to police brutality,” said Davis.

This is not the only threat made on Yik Yak that has affected the Columbia community.

In September, Rock Bridge High School was put on a modified lockdown after a user posted a shooting threat.