The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
University of Hartford student threatened dorm shooting as a joke, police say
HARTFORD — A University of Hartford student was arrested and temporarily banned from campus after police say he threatened a dorm shooting on social media.
The anonymous posts, which were on the mobile app Yik Yak, “referred to shooting a dorm and other firearm references,” Hartford Police Sgt. Chris Mastroianni said.
Students reported the posts on Sunday night to the university’s Department of Public Safety, which notified the Hartford Police Department around 11:30 p.m., Mastroianni said. Police contacted the social media app, which provided information to identify the poster within an hour.
The student, identified as 18-year-old Tenuun Enkhbat, of Virginia, was charged with firstdegree threatening. Mastroianni said Enkhbat cooperated with investigators and said his actions were a joke.
“This is not going to be tolerated,” Mastroianni told reporters Monday morning. “We’re going to treat these all the same whether you think you’re joking around or not.”
“Whether you think you’re joking or not, there’s certain dialogue that’s going to turn criminal,” he added.
Enkhbat is being held on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned Monday. Mastroianni noted that Enkhbat has no history of threats or violence nor does he have access to firearms.
Officials said Enkhbat has been banned from campus pending conduct proceedings.
“There is no threat to campus,” the school said in a statement.
“We take these actions and concerns seriously, and we are appreciative of the assistance and response from local law enforcement,” the school statement said.