At 4:25 p.m. Nov. 22, the Murray State community learned of threats against the University, and within a 48-hour time span, those threats were debunked and resolved by the University and law enforcement.
This is an approximate timeline of the incident according to President Bob Davies:
Nov. 21
University officials were informed of threats from a detainee in Calloway County Jail and the man was transferred to Western State Hospital for a psychological evaluation.
Davies said threats made were deemed credible by hospital personnel and were specific to “hot” areas on campus, not individuals.
Local, county, state and federal law enforcement were contacted and were able to press charges against the individual for the threats.
The possibility the threats would be carried out by accomplices were eliminated, as was the possibility of the man being released.
Nov. 22
The individual remained in custody and will stand trial facing felony charges.
Davies sent an email to the University to inform of the situation. He said it was to let people know what was going on, and that this day in age is one of sharing information and to raise the awareness of a living and working on a college campus that could include such possible dangers and harm as the threats.
Nov. 24
University officials analyzed the overall effort in protecting the University.
Davies said strengthening protective measures would be a goal in the spring 2015 semester.
Confirmation of a resolved issue was given to Davies, who accredits much of the preventative process to communication from and between law enforcement.
Story by Mary Bradley, Editor-in-Chief