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A Utica College student, identified as Fahrudin Omerovic, 23, was arrested and charged with four counts of terroristic threats against the school, according to Utica Police Department spokesman Lt. Bryan Coromato. With investigators believing he was behind recent, suspicious phone calls that caused the school to recently go on lockdown, it was believed that he used a mobile phone app to disguise his identity.
What happened?
As mentioned, authorities believe that Omerovic, a student at the school, had been behind a phone call that instigated a lockdown this past Monday, lasting around six hours. It is believed that he had been on campus during the lockdown and was able to blend in with the crowds.
Initially able to hide his identity, Omerovic was later found by police in his own home, with the help of local security systems. No weapons were found at the residence, despite his original threats entailing that he had a gun.
After the Monday lockdown, Omerovic allegedly threatened the school a second time, although the school did go on lockdown, with police no longer defining him as a credible threat. Police later found Omerovic at his home in Utica.
During his first court appearance on Tuesday, Omerovic reportedly apologized for the incident, claiming that he did not intend to cause any harm.
Who is Fahrudin Omerovic?
Although Omerovic was physically on-campus during the lockdown, he took online courses for the school, which still granted him access to the college’s facilities, according to police. According to WHAM, one eyewitness claimed another student comforted him among a group other other students, reportedly telling him that “things will be okay, we will get through this,” during the lockdown.
According to ABC News, Omerovic was eventually sent to the Oneida County Jail on $100,000 cash or $250,000 bond. During his initial hearing, a judge denied a request to lower bail from Omerovic’s attorneys. The investigation is currently ongoing.
As this is a developing story, more information will be updated as made available.