Hood attempted to relay a simple message to students and parents.
“Safety is our top priority. We are doing everything that we can to ensure safety, including increasing police and security presence in and around campus,” he said.
The session lasted approximately two hours, during which Hood discussed an ongoing investigation into the identity of “Authur Pendragon” and the comments made under the name.
“I think that will probably bring closure to probably all of this,” Hood said.
Authorities are looking into reports of incidents, but social media has been a hindrance due to false reports being circulated widely and quickly. Hood asked students to report suspicious behavior to the University of Alabama Police Department.
“We have not received any credible threats that we thought [posed] any imminent danger to any student, any group of students that would have warranted our emergency notification system,” he said.
Multiple students asked why the residents in Tutwiler Hall were not made aware of UAPD’s presence on Sunday night until after the incident was over.
“Again, we did not feel like there was any imminent threat or danger to any student, and that’s why we did not send out that notification,” he said.
The answer didn’t satisfy some in the room, who later asked why it was important enough to send police to the dorm but not to send a notice to its residents.
“We can talk about that, and we can analyze why we did or why we didn’t do something,” Hood said. “What I have to ask, and maybe this is challenging – it is challenging. Again, we have not had any major incident occur, so I think you have to keep in mind nothing happened. No one has been harmed so that is why we did not feel – what we had at that point in time, we did not think it warranted an emergency notification.”
Hood said no credible threats had been received but did not comment on what makes a threat credible. He addressed the room, which was mostly composed of freshmen, and said this was probably the first time they had encountered something along these lines.
“I’m a senior, and I really believe that this is credible, and I’m truly scared,” said Olivia, who asked her last name not to be printed. “I’ve heard rumors before in my last four years, but this is nothing like that.”
Hood reiterated he understands the concerns of the students, but the police are investigating the posts.
“We are encouraging everyone to resume their normal routine,” he said. “Obviously it’s up to you and your personal choices that you make, but we don’t believe there is any reason to not continue our normal routines.”
A 20-year-old UA student, Dakota John Timm, was arrested Tuesday for sending an “alarming message,” according to UA News. He was initially charged with obstructing governmental operations and placed in Tuscaloosa County Jail on a $2,500 bond. The charge was changed to harassing communication.
The message is not believed to be related to the initial threat posted Sunday night, according to UA News.
The investigation into the threat is active and ongoing, according to UA News. Investigators have issued two search warrants and are seeking additional warrants. Investigators are continuing to follow up on tips, leads and information.
UAPD is working with local and federal authorities such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation to identify who posted the original messages, according to UA News.
