Corvallis man arrested in OSU online shooting threats
(Update: OSP identifies suspect; SafeOregon tip line used)
Oregon State Police arrested a 22-year-old Corvallis man on Tuesday for numerous threats of violence directed at Oregon State University in a Twitter feed.
Sgt. Kyle Hove said troopers and detectives identified the owner of the Twitter user name “Hard Belly Dorm” as Christopher Adam Strahan, who was contacted outside a Corvallis home and taken into custody around 2:30 p.m.
Strahan was booked into the Benton County Jail on a charge of first-degree disorderly conduct. Hove said OSP was assisted by the FBI, OSU Department of Public Safety, Corvallis Police Department and the Benton County Mental Health Department.
“At this time, there is no known threat to public safety,” Hove said in a news release, adding that the investigation continues and more information will be released when available.
Earlier Tuesday, OSU announced on Twitter that officials were aware of and were investigating “concerning tweets,” but KGW reported the lack of clarity in that statement left many of the account’s followers uneasy.
The school also sent the following note to students and staff with a bit more information:
“Oregon State Police and other law enforcement officials are investigating social media posts that were being made today by one individual threatening violence at Oregon State’s University’s Corvallis campus. Further communications will be made by the university as more information becomes available. At all times, we encourage students, faculty, staff and guests to report any safety concerns to OSU Public Safety by calling 541-737-7000.”
Two hours after its first tweet, OSU announced OSP had “arrested the individual believed to have made recent social media posts threatening violence toward OSU.” The school thanked law enforcement officials and the school’s Department of Public Safety “for their immediate action to resolve this issue.”
KGW said it appeared the threats came from Twitter user @hardbellydorm, and included, “Oregon State University campus going to get shot up and who will be to blame.”
OSP received an anonymous tip through SafeOregon, the statewide school safety tip line. The tip line is designed for use by students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade, but the organization said it was able to provide information to OSP to help in the investigation.
Oregon State Police reminds students and families to learn more about SafeOregon, the statewide school safety tip line. It is a safe, confidential and anonymous way for students to alert authorities to information that may be useful in preventing school attacks, bullying, and suicidal behaviors.
