FBI Warns Colleges around Philadelphia of Online Threat

The social media post’s author threatened to do harm to a college on October 5.

On October 5 the FBI has notified colleges in the Philadelphia area about a vague threat made on an unnamed social media site and is asking schools to stay alert.

The FBI did not give much information about the social media post except to say that it threatened violence at a Philadelphia-area college around 2 p.m. EST on October 5.

Several school officials, the FBI and the ATF are asking students to report any suspicious activities and to stay aware of their surroundings, according to NBC Philadelphia.

Schools that sent statements to students regarding the threat include Drexel University, Villanova University, Temple University, Philadelphia University, the University of Philadelphia and Maryland University, among others.

Several of the colleges mentioned above have informed students they are increasing security patrols and working with local police departments to ensure campus safety.

Some have speculated the warnings stem from a post on the social media site 4chan, but the FBI has not confirmed those reports.

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