'Person of Interest' Questioned in Moraine Valley Twitter Threat

PALOS HILLS, IL -- A person of interest is reportedly being questioned in connection with social media messages posted on Twitter Sunday evening threatening to shoot Moraine Valley Community College. College officials said in an email to students and staff that the incident is isolated and the threat is not believed to be credible. Security was heightened at Moraine Valley’s campuses in Palos Hills, Tinley Park and Blue Island.

An email sent Monday to students and staff said Moraine Valley campus police and federal authorities have been interviewing the person since Monday morning. It is not known if the individual, reported to be a male, has been charged. The college also said that faculty would not penalize students who were absent on Monday.

“We’re not a 100-percent certain if he’s the offender or not,” a campus police officer said.

College officials said classes would proceed as usual on Monday, stating that the investigation is ongoing.

"[There] is NO indication the threat is credible … Additional security measures are in place at all Moraine Valley locations. Updates will be sent as necessary.

"Students, faculty and staff should contact college police at (708) 974-5555 to provide information relative to this case or to report any suspicious behavior."

“The college takes all threats against its students seriously and is following the guidance of law enforcement.”

A Twitter used named “MoraineValleydies” complained about being bullied.

“I can't wait to kill all of you tomorrow!!! You took away my soul I'm taking you guys lives! Me and my AR."

The account was deactivated, but later a new account Twitter account surfaced under the name “MValleydies.”

A Palos Park police report said Chief Joe Miller advised college police around 2:31 a.m. Monday that he had received information from residents about a social media threat to shoot students. The college police chief advised they had received numerous reports the Twitter post and had copies of the various social media posts.

Moraine Valley student Shawnee Masters said she went to the Palos Hills campus Monday to change her schedule.

"No one is there," Masters said in an email to Patch. "Students are so nervous, a lot didn't come and a lot of the teachers weren't marking the students absent because they understood if they didn't want [to go school on Monday]."

The college stated that Moraine Valley has a professional state-level police department that provides protection for the Palos Hills campus as well as the Tinley Park and Blue Island sites. College police officers are regularly trained for response in all types of police matters and have been recognized as a leader in its preparedness efforts. Police are coordinating with federal authorities and local municipal districts throughout this investigation.