Within 24 hours two SMU students involved in a shooting near campus and the Law School had to cancel classes due to a threat against the faculty.
(DALLAS, January 11) - Police arrested an 18-year-old after two people were hit by gunfire while standing on the balcony of Chauchers restaurant, near SMU. They are expected to be okay. The 18-year-old is charged with two counts of aggravated assault.
SMU law school investigating threat
(DALLAS, January 11) - The Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University called off classes Monday as word of an alleged threat against faculty, staff and students became public.
News 8 has learned that high-ranking university and Dallas Police staffers are working together on the case. They know the name of the first-year law student who is alleged to have told a classmate of his plans over a drink late last week.
What's unclear is what kind of charges that student may be facing; making a terrorist threat can be a third-degree felony. It is important to note they have not arrested him.
Tuesday night classes went on as scheduled at the law school, but with an increased police presence.
"There were some rumors flying around early this morning," said Dedman School of Law President Peter Schulte. "We didn't find out until there was an increased police presence, and some students started to ask questions about what was happening."
The dean's office sent a memo to all faculty and staff about "information that a law student allegedly had threatened to harm other law students, faculty and staff." The memo added the school's faculty felt it "best to cancel evening law classes."
The threats at SMU raised memories of a January 2002 attack in Virginia, in which a disgruntled student killed three people and injured several others at the Appalachian School of Law. That incident prompted other schools to re-examine security measures.
"We live in a world where this is, unfortunately, something that we have to pay close attention to," said Associate Dean Christine Szaj. "It is always worrisome that somebody might be in danger, but we felt that we took the steps that needed to."