New Details Emerge About Online Threat

Students and staff received an email on July 21 announcing a threat directed at a “member of the college community” at Wright College, which led to Wright’s security team filing two police reports.

The incident was reported as “online harassment by electronic means,” according to records obtained from the Chicago Police Department. The person who filed the anonymous complaint received an email from the victim, who said he was the target of a hate crime based on a message he received from another student through Instagram.

Director of Safety and Security Gisella Limon said the wording of the July 21 email notifying students and staff about the incident required approval by the CCC district office. Wright Times News reached out to the security team at the CCC district office, but did not receive comment. “What we wanted to say is somebody posted something inappropriate, we had to take steps to not have the student come back to school, no one is in danger,” Limon said. “The message here should be watch out what you post online, because it’s gonna follow you forever.” 

Limon only has the authority to dictate the message if there is an imminent threat using the CCC alert system. Regarding this recent threat, Limon said, “There was no imminent threat because that person was not on campus.” 

 If a student is concerned about safety, Limon said students can email her or Security Assistant Director Rapunzel Williams. The July 21 email that communicated the incident also shared tips to stay safe on campus, which include being vigilant, trusting your instincts, not approaching someone committing a crime and reporting suspicious behaviors to the security team. If students feel unsafe, security can provide escorts.

Regarding the July 21 email, President Andres Oroz said, “We always want to be proactive, so that message was to allow the individual campus community members to know they can talk to us, if they see something, to let us know so that we can be proactive rather than reactive.”

Security monitor the campus center. Photo Credit: Kyle Chmielowski.