A shooting threat at Western Illinois University in Macomb was found just before 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, prompting the university to make classes optional for the day.

According to Darcie Shinberger, director of University Relations at WIU, the threat was a handwritten note on notebook paper. She said the threat had no specifics as to time or location, but did indicate a shooting on the WIU campus.

“While this is an anonymous off-campus threat, it is imperative that we take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our students, staff and faculty,” WIU President Al Goldfarb said in a news release.

According to the Western Courier, the WIU student newspaper, the threat was found in the payment drop-box at the Campus Manner apartment complex on Charles and Elting streets. The threat was found by a worker at the complex. Shinberger said the threat was most likely left overnight because the employee checks the drop-box in the morning and before closing the office at night.

According to the Western Courier, the Emergency Alert System was activated at 9:35 a.m. Students who signed up for the alert system received two text messages and a phone call about the threat. The Courier said the system was put in place after the Virginia Tech and NIU shootings. An e-mail was sent to students and a press release was posted on the WIU Web site as a “Timely Warning.”

The threat also prompted the university to lock down residence halls to patrons only, while also making classes optional to students and faculty. Shinberger said classes were not canceled because there was a police presence on and around the campus.

“We just decided to increase patrol,” Shinberger said. “The Illinois State Police and McDonough County Sheriff’s Office are in Macomb, so we have a very strong police force in and around Macomb. We thought that increasing awareness would be sufficient at this time.”

The threat is being investigated by the Office of Public Safety at WIU and the Macomb Police. Illinois State Police and McDonough County Sheriff’s Office have assisted to keep a police presence on campus.

Goldfarb added in the news release that the university will work with the Macomb Police Department to find the source or sources of the threat.

“We are investigating this incident, and we will prosecute the individual responsible to the fullest extent of the law,” Goldfarb said.

As of press time Wednesday, the Office of Public Safety and Macomb Police have not released any details about the threat or any leads to possible suspects. Shinberger said there were no threats on the WIU campus prior to Wednesday.

Many campus events were canceled, rescheduled and moved in wake of the shooting threat.

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