An Ohio university announced it will cancel campus activities Sunday and increase the number of police officers on campus after receiving a shooting threat.
“Wittenberg University is taking extreme precautions after receiving an email threatening a possible shooting on campus tomorrow, Sunday, September 15, 2024. The message was directed at Haitian members of our community,” the Springfield-based university said in an alert to students.
In the statement, Wittenberg Police said they are cooperating with the Springfield Police Division and the FBI to investigate the shooting threat.
Students, faculty and staff are urged to be cautious and alert to their surroundings. Anyone on or near campus should prepare for additional instructions or a possible closure.
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Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, said it is canceling campus activities and increasing police activity after a threat targeting Haitians. (University of Wittenberg)
All campus activities scheduled for Sunday have been cancelled.
“University administrators recognize that the City of Springfield has experienced an increase in threats to local government, businesses, and schools over the past week,” the university said. “We take this threat seriously and will provide updates to campus as we learn more about the situation.”
The university said it is taking “extreme precautions” after an email threatened a campus shooting Sunday targeting members of the Haitian community. (iStock)
The alert comes amid national attention to Springfield and its Haitian immigrants from former President Trump, his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, and others.
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In the alert, the university provided several safety tips for students and visitors to the campus.
“Always be aware of your surroundings when off campus or in the community. Close and lock your room door when you are sleeping or studying in your room. Report unusual activity or suspicious persons immediately to campus police, even if they are outside of the residence halls and housing. Be alert for strangers who may attend gatherings in your residence hall and take steps to address their presence by calling Wittenberg Police to respond. Do not allow others to follow you closely into a secure building or space,” the notice said.
It also said: “Threats towards our university community are unacceptable. We encourage you to report any crime to the authorities.”
Springfield police will increase patrols on campus on Sunday. (iStock)
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Anyone observing suspicious activity is urged to immediately contact the Wittenberg Police Division via their emergency line, 937-327-6363. The non-emergency line is 937-327-6231.
Springfield, a city of about 60,000, has seen its Haitian population grow in recent years. The city says Haitian immigrants are in the country legally thanks to a federal program that allows them to be there temporarily.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
