Suspect in Connection With Online Threat at University of North Alabama Turns Himself In

Apr. 18, 2014

By Bryan RachalPublic Affairs and Media Relations

FLORENCE, Ala. – University of North Alabama Police Chief Robert Pastula announced this afternoon that a suspect turned himself in to university authorities in relation to a recent online threat aimed at the university.  Chief Pastula said 21 year old Brian Mitchell of Madison, AL turned himself and faces Terrorist Threat charges stemming from a post police say he made on the social media site “Yik Yak,” Tuesday morning about 11:30. 

Pastula said Mitchell posted that he was going to “Shoot up UNA.”  Another student spotted the post and brought it to the  attention of Pastula, who then placed the university on high alert as a precaution.  Additional UNA police officers as well as the state police were brought in to increase the police presence on campus and to keep a look out for any suspicious activity.  In addition, Kilby Elementary School, which is located on campus, was placed on lockdown for brief period.  The restriction was lifted later in the day.

Pastula says he worked with “Yik Yak” to help track Mitchell down. Mitchell admitted to police that he posted the threat and stated that he would turn himself in. Mitchell was a junior at UNA living in Rice Hall, but as of this afternoon he is no longer enrolled at the university. Mitchell will have to face a university judicial committee to determine the future of his status at UNA.