Court documents claim suspect had “deep interest” in Oregon college shooting

Court documents reveal the 19-year-old man who allegedly made threats against the MU campus on social media said he had a “deep interest” in a shooting on an Oregon college campus.

MU police officers arrested a suspect for making threats against campus on Yik Yak and other social media. Hunter Park was identified as the man, arrested on suspicion of making a terrorist threat.

The University of Missouri Police Department’s probable cause statement said officers connected three YikYak posts to Park through a phone number provided by the social media app. Police connected the number to an AT&T subscriber, and that company provided MUPD with Park’s location in Rolla.

The statement said Park admitted to two MUPD officers in his dorm room at Missouri S&T to making the posts, but “claimed to have no idea why he specifically targeted black students in his post.” When asked if the posts “were a saber rattling incident; [Park] replied ‘pretty much.'”

According to a probable cause statement, when police asked Park about a threat reading, “some of you are alright; don’t go to campus tomorrow,” he smiled and said he was quoting something. Police then asked if he was quoting the Umpqua Community College shooting, and he replied, “mmhmm.”

The documents also said MUPD received more than 50 calls between 7:38 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. in reference to the social media threats. As of Wednesday, they had received more than 100 calls.

Tom O’Sullivan with the Boone County Sheriff’s Department tells ABC 17 News that Hunter Park was charged with making a terrorist threat. O’Sullivan said Park was jailed Wednesday afternoon without bond in the Boone County Jail.

An arraignment is scheduled for Park at 1:30 p.m. Thursday. While arrested early Wednesday morning, Park did not appear in court since it was closed for Veterans Day.

MU police officers apparently found Park, a white male, in Rolla, and brought him back to Columbia. Police tell ABC 17 News Park is not a student at Mizzou, and was not on or near campus when the threats were made.

Our affiliate KTVI in St. Louis reports a Wentzville school district spokesperson confirmed Park is a 2014 graduate of Holt High School and was a member of the school’s robotics team.

Because of those threats, some businesses near the Mizzou campus are closed today. Campus Bar and Grill and Starbucks, both on 9th Street, will not open for business today.

Wednesday morning officials with Yik Yak condemned any users using the app to post threatening messages. In a statement, Yik Yak officials said in part, “It’s our hope that the range of discussion on MU’s campus can help to bring about positive resolution and a better understanding within the community. But there’s a point where discussion can go too far – and the threats that were posted on Yik Yak last night were both upsetting and completely unacceptable. Let’s not waste any words here: This sort of misbehavior is NOT what Yik Yak is to be used for. Period. It is not condoned by Yik Yak, and it violates our Terms of Service.”

Security at Mizzou was heightened Tuesday due to the threats. One alleged threat was called into the Black Culture Center while the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus was meeting with students and outgoing Chancellor Bowen Loftin. The Black Caucus sent a statement tonight saying the call forced the building to be put on lockdown for a short time

Campus police are warning people to call 9-1-1 immediately if the event of an emergency.

The University of Missouri will also increase the number of counselors available to students, faculty and staff.

“The Counseling Center has its full staff ready to assist and has additional counselors on standby as needed. In addition, Counseling Center staff are actively reaching out to key student groups to offer assistance. We know our students are still processing their emotions and feelings about the events over the last several days. I’m very thankful to our MUPD and our campus community for continuing to keep our campus safe,” said Cathy Scroggs, vice chancellor for Student Affairs.

Students wishing to contact a counselor should call the Counseling Center main number at 573-882-6601 for assistance 24/7. Other resources include Student Health at 563-882-7481 and the Psychological Services Clinic at 573-882-4677 .

(Editor’s note, 11/12, 9:32 a.m.: This story features updated information on Park’s case, and has removed outdated information.)