A student at East Carolina University has been accused of making threats to carry out a shooting on campus. ECU police arrested 19-year-old Abigail Buck and charged her with communicating threats of mass violence on educational property.
According to the arrest warrant, Buck allegedly posted a message on Snapchat on Sunday that read, “I’m about to shoot this entire f***ing school.” The FBI alerted ECU police about the threat, and university authorities were able to quickly identify Buck as the person responsible for the post.
Law enforcement officials determined that Buck resided in Greene Hall, a dormitory on campus, but was not physically present on university grounds at the time of the threat. Given the swift response and identification of the suspect, ECU officials decided not to issue an emergency alert to students and faculty.
Deputy Police Chief Chris Sutton emphasized the seriousness of such threats, stating that any statements suggesting violent intent are taken seriously and fully investigated. He stressed that if the validity of a threat is established, authorities will take legal action, including arrests. He also highlighted that, given the current security climate, law enforcement agencies have no choice but to respond firmly to any potential threats to campus safety.
Following her arrest, Buck was released on a $10,000 bond. The university confirmed that she is in her second semester as a student at ECU. Authorities have not provided additional details on any disciplinary action from the university.
ECU police continue to urge students to be mindful of their statements and actions, particularly when it comes to threats of violence. Officials encourage anyone who becomes aware of potential threats to report them immediately to law enforcement to ensure campus safety.
