Dave Ross: WWU scare could lead to hollow threats
Dec 2, 2015, 8:02 AM | Updated: 11:09 am
KIRO Radio's Dave Ross says what happened at Western Washington University could lead to more threats on campus. (AP)
(AP)
The alleged threats made toward Western Washington University students could set a frustrating precedent for schools around the country.
Among the anonymous threats made on the social media app Yik Yak was one that included a picture of a loaded handgun. When a worried student saw this she immediately contacted WWU President Bruce Shepard to reiterate how unsafe students felt.
That was around 2 a.m. on Nov. 24. About five hours later students learned from a letter that classes were canceled for the day for all of Western’s campuses.
In light of the increasing number of campus shootings, it’s hard to blame Western for making the decision. However, KIRO Radio’s Dave Ross says this could be the next fire alarm gag for students wanting to get out of class.
“All you have to do is post a picture of yourself with a loaded gun,” Dave said. “If you empower these guys so that they can just press send and shut down [a campus] … they could just down every campus in the country by this standard.”
So what punishment fits the crime? Dave says expel the student who posted the photo. That person is going to forever be on the Internet and will have trouble doing much of anything.
So far, one student has been arrested in relation to threats made at Western. Tysen Campbell was arrested Monday and posted $10,000 bail Tuesday. He has not been charged.
