The University of Chicago has cancelled all Monday classes after the FBI declared that there was a highly credible threat of gun violence posted online, according to a report from NBC Chicago. Shortly after 1 p.m., the university received notice from the FBI that the suspect was in custody. The suspect has now been identified as Jabari Dean, a 21-year-old University of Illinois student, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The threats were revealed to have contained specific details about an attack in the university’s “campus quad” on Monday at 10 a.m.
UChicago students, faculty and staff were then promptly warned on Sunday by a campus-wide announcement that all classes would be cancelled and all facilities in the Hyde Park campus would be closed.
“Based on the FBI’s assessment of this threat and recent tragic events at other campuses across the country, we have decided in consultation with federal and local law enforcement officials, to exercise caution by canceling all classes and activities on the Hyde Park campus through midnight on Monday,” wrote President Robert Zimmer in the memo.
Federal officials told the Chicago Tribune that Dean posted the threats in retaliation for the shooting of Laquan Macdonald, an unarmed black man killed by police officer James Van Dyke (now charged with murder).
The school has urged anyone who sees something unusual to report it to the UChicago police department by calling 773-702-8181. Faculty and staff have also been asked to stay away from the Hyde Park campus for the time being.
The university is expected to resume operations on Tuesday. To all of our collegiettes at University of Chicago and other Chicago local colleges, we hope you stay safe and continue to stay informed!