Virginia Man Charged In Racist Threats At Howard University

(UPDATED) GREATER ALEXANDRIA, VA—An Alexandria man was charged Wednesday for making murder threats against African-Americans at Howard University. It's a new development in a case that the historically-black college has been investigating since 2015.

According to court documents, the suspect was at an Alexandria restaurant on Nov. 11, 2015 when he posted a statement online threatening to murder African-Americans at Howard University.

The FBI received a tip from a DC resident about the post, which appeared on 4chan. The post was linked from a Reddit user named "watchouthoward." An excerpt of the message reads:

Any n****** left at Howard University after 10 tomorrow will be the first to go. And any of those cheapskate n****** who try to get out using the metro will regret that choice real fast. Sure, the po po will take me down, but I'll go out a hero knowing I made the world better. I just hope at least someone else can see it too and continue the fight.

The message concluded saying, "after all, it's not murder if they're black."

The suspect claimed he was a University of Missouri student, but the affidavit indicates he was allegedly at the Panera Bread located at 6670 Richmond Highway.

Authorities tracked his IP address, finding some disturbing details on his personal devices. Some of the text documents and images on his hard drive included: a list titled "22 Ways to Kill a Man With Your Bare Hands," documents detailing poisons and explosives, pages from the book "Kill or Get Killed," and an article about long range shooting of firearms. A day before he allegedly posted the threat, Rust visited a subreddit called "DeadN***Storage."

He appeared to be interested in the racial tensions at the University of Missouri. A text message to a friend reads, "I planned how to take out that anger years ago and I've been sitting on that plan ever since."

John Edgar Rust, 26, of the Rose Hill area of Fairfax County, was arrested Wednesday and charged with the transmission in interstate commerce of a communication containing threats to injure the person of another.

Howard University increased security on campus after the threat but did not close the school. Some students chose to skip classes, and some professors cancelled classes, and the university said they wouldn't be penalized.

This was the message Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick sent to students in November 2015 following the incident.

“We are aware of the threat made against the University and its students and are working with campus, local, and federal law enforcement on this serious matter. This is an ongoing investigation. However, in an abundance of caution, the University has increased security on campus and at area metro stations. We strongly encourage the campus community and our neighbors to stay vigilant and to report any suspicious activity. If you see something, say something and contact Howard University Department of Public Safety at 202-806-1100 or the District of Columbia Metro Police Department at 202-727-9099.”

A spokesman for Howard University tells Patch a statement will be released on Rust's arrest. Stay with Patch for more updates.

Rust is a previously convicted felon and a registered sex offender. He was convicted for indecent liberties with a child by custodian and aggravated sexual battery in Loudoun County Circuit Court.

He will initially appear at the Alexandria federal courthouse Thursday at 2 p.m. He could face up to five years in prison.

This is a developing story. Patch will update with more details.

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Image via Virginia State Police