WASHINGTON - A University of Maryland student was arrested and taken for psychiatric evaluation after posting threats about a shooting rampage that would “make it to the national news,” the school said. The university’s Department of Public Safety said it made the arrest Sunday of Alexander Song, 19, after learning of the threats at the university’s campus at College Park, Maryland. “The person posting the comments stated he had thoughts of committing an act of violence at the UMCP campus on Sunday, March 11, 2012,” the statement said.
“The quote on the website(s) were ‘I will be on a shooting rampage tomorrow on campus,’ ‘hopefully I kill enough people to make it to national news,’ and ‘stay away from the Mall tomorrow at 1:30.’”
School police traced the messages to Song, a current student at the Maryland campus.
“University police detectives and patrol officers worked through the night to identify and apprehend Mr. Song,” the statement said. “This incident was taken extremely seriously by this agency and all efforts were put forth to bring it to a speedy and safe resolution.”
After his arrest, detectives “determined that an emergency psychiatric evaluation was necessary,” the statement said.
“Accordingly, Mr Song was taken to an area hospital for evaluation. Mr Song was unarmed at the time of the arrest.”
Song has been charged with a misdemeanor offense of disturbing the orderly conduct of school activities and faces up to six months in jail and a fine of $2,500 if convicted.
The youth has also been suspended from the school and will not be allowed on campus.