Marist College On Lockdown In Response to Twitter Threat

Graphic online threats force local college to shut down campus

Update (November 13, 2015, 1:10 p.m.): Marist College has been reopened after law enforcement officials determined there was “no credible danger” after reviewing recent online threats against the school. Classes and offices remain closed for the day.

Adriana Belmonte, a journalism major and Hudson Valley intern who was on campus during the lockdown, said, “You always hear about these things happening on other campuses, but you never realize it can happen on your own as well.”

Belmonte, along with several classmates, created a timeline of the events as they unfolded on campus. View it here.

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A pair of anonymous threats on Twitter have caused Marist College in Poughkeepsie to halt operations and initiate a complete lockdown of the campus on Friday, November 13.

According to an update by the college’s Public Affairs department, campus security was notified about an ominous message tagging the college’s Twitter account at approximately 10:51 p.m. on November 12.

The Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department was notified and began an investigation, according to Marist Public Affairs. During that time, a second, more graphic threat was posted by the same user at 6:01 a.m. on November 13.

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The college immediately notified students, faculty, and staff via a “terrifying email and series of phone calls,” according to junior Adriana Belmonte, a dual journalism and sports communication major (and Hudson Valley intern). “We’re not supposed to leave our dorms until the lockdown is lifted, so we’re pretty much trapped in our rooms,” she added.

At the time this story was published, the offending Twitter account was still active. Town of Poughkeepsie Police, as well as City of Poughkeepsie Police, New York State Police, local FBI offices, and other local authorities, are currently investigating the situation.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Red Foxes, stay safe.

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