A threat involving the Statesboro campus of Georgia Southern University on Wednesday landed a Macon man in jail, but university officials said the threat was “not credible.”
Details of the nature of the threat were unavailable Thursday, as university officials did not immediately answer queries about what the threat involved.
According to Bulloch County Jail records, Emmanuel Hoang Pham, 20, of Litchfield Drive in Macon, was charged by Georgia Southern University police Wednesday with terroristic threats and acts.
Pham was a mechanical engineering student at Georgia Southern, said Jennifer Wise, GSU communications director.
The threat posted on social media regarding possible danger on the GSU campus was proven false. Wise said notices were sent out Wednesday to the university community after the threat was reported and said the alerts informed recipients that the threat was invalid.
“Public Safety investigated the possible threat and determined it not to be credible. However, the individual who made the threat has been arrested and charged …,” said one alert sent Wednesday.
Another alert read: “Earlier today, the Office of Public Safety received information indicating a possible threat to the Statesboro campus for Thursday, March 1, posted on the internet. The University Police fully investigated the potential threat and quickly identified and arrested the individual who posted the threatening language. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the threat was not credible and there is not a known, ongoing threat to the University community.”
Since the threat was invalid, there was no change in class schedules or campus operations for Thursday.
Requests by the Statesboro Herald for complete incident reports and details about the threat were not immediately granted Thursday.
The GSU notices issued to students and faculty also reminded people to be vigilant.
“As always, the University and the University Police are committed to maintaining a safe campus environment,” one statement read. “Individuals are encouraged to be aware and mindful of their surroundings and to report any suspicious activity to police. If you see something, say something.”
Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.