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DALLAS - 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."

Better they nipped it in the bud and took it seriously, than ignored it and had a tragedy on their hands. I pity the student in a way, there went his potential law career up in smoke, and he made it through 2 1/2 years of law school. He was in coasting mode.

I believe it said he is a first year.

EastStang wrote:Better they nipped it in the bud and took it seriously, than ignored it and had a tragedy on their hands. I pity the student in a way, there went his potential law career up in smoke, and he made it through 2 1/2 years of law school. He was in coasting mode.

Having been in law enforcement and a news reporter, I totally agree.

By APRIL KINSER / DallasNews.com



Dallas police said Thursday they were continuing to investigate what has become a more complicated case involving alleged threats against students, faculty members and staff at the Southern Methodist University law school.

Lt. Jan Easterling said the Texas Rangers have contacted the suspect in another Texas city on behalf of the Dallas Police Department and asked him to return to Dallas. No charges have been filed against the man, whom police would not identify, and he has not been questioned.

Meanwhile, the student who initially reported the threats has been hospitalized for what police are terming a suicide attempt.

The case apparently began unfolding last week, when the suspect, a first-year law student, allegedly told a 22-year-old classmate about his plans. Classes were canceled Monday evening after the classmate reported the threatening comments to an associate dean.

"He made comments that he hated lawyers and was very agitated because his friend talked about returning to law school," Dallas police Sgt. Gil Cerda said earlier this week.

Classes resumed Tuesday under a police presence.

Early Wednesday, a woman notified authorities that the man who made the accusations about the threats "had called her and told her he had drunk an unknown amount of alcohol and sleeping pills," according to a police report. Police kicked in the door to his apartment and found him unresponsive, the report states.

Easterling said police have received more information from the accuser since he made his initial report. "Obviously, there is more to this than where we're at right now," she said.

He remained hospitalized Thursday, Easterling said.

In a letter to SMU students, faculty and staff, university administrators note that the student who allegedly made the threats has been "located by authorities in another city."

The university was offering counseling and the chaplain’s services. "Obviously, this is a troubling situation for the law school and University community, as well as the families of the law students involved," the letter states.

Making a terrorist threat is a third-degree felony with punishment of up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

And wasn't there some gunshots reported recently across Central Exp. at the 'Chauney' Rest?