INVESTIGATION INTO THREATENING CALLS CONTINUES

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - On Thursday, August 1, 2002, the Fayetteville Police Department and University of Arkansas Police Department as well as other University offices received phone calls that threatened the University of Arkansas campus.  University officials believe the threats may be hoaxes but officials are taking it seriously and have notified the proper authorities for security measures.

The University is investigating the matter, involving state, local and federal officials, and details are the following:

Fayetteville Dispatch received a call from a male subject around 7:38 a.m., in which he threatened that "Parts of the University would no longer exist after today."

Soon after the first call, the same message was received by Magic 107.9 radio station in Fayetteville.  The radio station employee immediately notified Fayetteville Police.

University of Arkansas Police received a phone call at 8:30 a.m. repeating the threat.

Soon after the call to UAPD, another call was placed to the Registrar's Office in Hunt Hall.  The message threatened Hunt Hall, Mullins Library, Kimpel Hall and the Arkansas Union.  Law Enforcement Officials immediately investigated the specific buildings and found no evidence of any danger.  The buildings were declared safe and secure.
One of the calls was traced back to a pay phone off campus on West Avenue & Spring Street in Fayetteville.  Officials conducting the investigation feel that all calls made are from the same individual.

Area law enforcement officials continue to investigate the matter but have found no evidence of dangerous materials anywhere on campus.  No campus evacuations were ordered.

According to Larry Slamons, Director of University Police, terrorist activity of this nature is a felony offense.

Should officials have further details, another update will be released.

###

Jay Nickell, assistant manager of media relations, (479) 575-7943, jnickel@uark.edu