UCLA Mass Shooting Threat Targets Philosophy Department

LOS ANGELES, CA — UCLA canceled in-person classes after a former lecturer released a video and 800-page manifesto that appears to threaten a mass shooting, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday night.

UPDATE: UCLA Lecturer Suspected Of Making Mass Shooting Threat Arrested

According to The Times, an email sent to philosophy students and professors warned them to steer clear of their classrooms until the threat has passed.

“The material includes a video entitled ‘UCLA Philosophy Mass Shooting’ and an 800-page manifesto with specific threats towards some members of our department,” according to the email quoted by The Times. “In light of this, we will continue to have a discussion through Zoom until the authorities say that it is safe. I will keep you updated on this situation. But I would avoid being anywhere near Dodd Hall or the philosophy department until further notice... Out of an abundance of caution, all classes will be held remotely tomorrow, Feb 1,”

The UCLA Police Department would not confirm details to Patch of the alleged threat. Steve Ritea, UCLA's chief media and executive communications officer, told The Times That university police are aware of "a concerning email and posting sent to some members of the UCLA community today and actively engaged with out- of-state law enforcement and federal agencies."

NBC News reported the FBI has also been notified. UCLA authorities on Tuesday assured students that the man who made the threats is in Colorado and under observation by authorities.

Copies of an alert sent out to philosophy department staffers was posted to Twitter on Monday night. It urged them to be accommodating to students who do not feel safe attending in-person classes in light of the threat. According to the alert, the former lecturer behind the manifesto was dismissed last year due to erratic behavior.

In the video, the former lecturer makes references to race and uses several profanities, according to The Times. He included links to his manifesto and videos, including the video threatening a mass shooting.

"da war is comin," he wrote. "forward dis [expletive] to our tha goldhead caucasoid princess."

Some students appeared stunned by the news of the video and manifesto.

"It's definitely hitting hard," senior Kahlila Williams told NBC 4.

In a separate post, another student described the lecturer's class as their least favorite at UCLA "ever" and said many students had complained to the department about his behavior, The Times reported.

Click here to read the full Los Angeles Times story.

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