UPDATED UGA Threat Timeline

The bond hearing for the individual accused of threatening violence on the University of Georgia’s Miller Learning Center has been set for 1pm on Tuesday September 23. UGA student Ariel Omar Arias is in the Athens-Clarke County jail facing two felony counts of terroristic threats in connection to Friday’s evacuation of the MLC.

At about 11:35am on September 19, the University of Georgia Police Department received several reports that there was a threat of violence directed at the Miller Learning Center on the University of Georgia campus. The threat was found on the social media platform Yik Yak, telling viewers that if they wanted to live, they should avoid the MLC at 12:15pm.

The MLC was evacuated after the UGA alert system sent calls and emails to all students starting at 12:05 and 12:08pm. A follow-up alert was sent out at 12:52pm saying that the situation was still under investigation and that the area should still be avoided.  Police officials proceeded to search the MLC. At 1:08 pm, an all clear alert was sent. UGA Police said to resume the day as normal and return to classes. They also announced that they were still actively investigating the incident.

At 2pm, Chief of UGA Police Jimmy Williamson held a press conference in which he detailed the police’s efforts in addressing the threat and evacuating the MLC. He did not go into specifics of the threat but applauded the efforts of students who tipped off the police.

At 8:17pm on the same day, The UGA police department sent out a report saying that the individual responsible for the threat had been identified as Arias. Arias was arrested under the two felony counts of terroristic threats and was transported to the Clarke County Jail, where he remains in custody now. In addition to the criminal charges, Arias has also received an interim suspension from the university.

 

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