University Of Chicago shuts down after threat of gun violence, detains suspect

The University of Illinois at Chicago says one of its students living off-campus has been arrested in connection with threats made against the University of Chicago.

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Nov 30, 2015

The University of Illinois at Chicago says one of its students living off-campus has been arrested in connection with threats made against the University of Chicago.

UIC said in a statement that its campus police have increased patrols and are cooperating with law enforcement.

It says no threats were made against UIC students, faculty or staff. UIC provided no information about the student who was arrested. Federal authorities say charges are pending against the person.

UIC Chancellor Michael Amiridis says the school is monitoring the situation and is concerned about the impact on its campus and the University of Chicago, where classes were canceled Monday.

Previous reporting had been conducted by the Associated Press

12:20 p.m.

Federal authorities say a suspect is in custody related to a threat at the University of Chicago that led to the school canceling all classes and activities scheduled for Monday on its main campus.

Joseph Fitzpatrick, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago, says the individual is in federal custody and that charges are pending “in connection with the threat at the University of Chicago.”

He provided no additional details.

The university said in a statement Sunday night that an online threat from an unknown person mentioned the quad, a popular gathering place, and 10 a.m. Monday.

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10:40 a.m.

The normally bustling University of Chicago campus is largely quiet after it was shut down because of an online threat of gun violence.

Few students walked in the surrounding neighborhoods Monday morning, while Chicago Police Department squad cars and a wagon patrolled streets, along with campus security cars.

The school canceled all classes and activities following the threat, which was passed on by the FBI and mentioned the quad and 10 a.m. Monday. That time appeared to come and go without any incident.

Security staff in yellow jackets stood on campus walkways, including the quad.

The school urged faculty, students and non-essential staff to stay away on Monday from the Hyde Park campus on Chicago’s South Side and told students in college housing to stay indoors.

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9:45 a.m.

Tyler Kissinger says as soon as people heard that the University of Chicago was shutting down because of an online threat of gun violence they closed their books, shut down laptops and hurried home.

Kissinger is the student body president. He was working at a campus coffee shop on Sunday night when the manager told him to start closing up and go home.

Kissinger says students haven’t been given details about why the school was closed Sunday night and remained closed Monday.

The school canceled all classes and activities following the threat, which was passed on by the FBI and mentioned the quad and 10 a.m. Monday.

He called the threats a reminder that residents in the neighborhoods around the campus, which is on the South Side of Chicago, live with the threat of gun violence every day.

Kissinger says he only recalls the school being closed once before — because of weather.