Dallas, Texas – A former Southern Methodist University (SMU) graduate student was arrested by the SMU Police Department and charged with making terroristic threats against the university’s president and faculty members.
Former engineering grad student Brian Ethan Jackel, 39, was arrested at his home on May 22, reports WFAA.
Investigators reportedly became aware of Jackel’s threats when they were notified by the Dallas VA Police Department.
Jackel, who was also a VA patient at the time, was watching televised coverage of the Allen Premium Outlets mall shooting on May 6 when he mentioned to a fellow patient that he wanted to kill SMU’s president and faculty members, reports the Fort Worth Star Telegram. The suspect also talked about making homemade explosives, giving the impression he might have pipe bombs in his home. He was scheduled to be released on May 18.
SMU PD also searched Jackel’s home, but it’s not clear if any explosives were found. SMU PD worked with other law enforcement to bolster campus security and then locate Jackel.
He was booked into the Dallas County jail and charged with a felony count of making a terrorist threat. His bail was set at $50,000, reports MSN.
