Iowa State University police arrest freshmen accused of Yik Yak threats

Iowa State University police have arrested two freshmen in connection with recent social media posts warning people to avoid specific campus buildings, officials announced Wednesday morning.

Officers at 6 p.m. Monday received a report about an anonymous post on the social media network Yik Yak advising people to “not come to Carver tomorrow at 4:30 p.m.,” a reference to Carver Hall — an academic building situated in central campus, west of the Campanile, in Ames.

A second anonymous post — coming a few hours later — warned people to avoid Parks Library, a few buildings north of Carver Hall.

Iowa State police worked overnight Monday with the FBI and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation to identify and monitor individuals believed to be responsible for the posts.

Investigators determined Iowa State didn’t need to close campus and instead worked with building administrators to implement precautionary safety measures.

Because the posts involved a specific location, referenced a time and “used the same language associated with other prior acts of violence,” ISU police and the Story County attorney found probable cause to arrest and charge ISU freshman Abdullateef Malallah, 18, of Ames, and ISU freshman Ty Jerman, 19, of Ames, with “threat of terrorism.”

That charge is defined by Iowa Code as “an act intended to intimidate or coerce.”

Officers said they know of no connection between the two students and believe the posts were made separately.

“While there is no indication that either student planned to enact violence against the campus community, actions of this nature are treated as a serious crime,” according to police.

Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.

Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com