WWU Police Arrest Online Threat Suspect

Western Washington University student Tysen Campbell, 19, was arrested by University Police on campus today. Campbell has been booked into the Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of Malicious Harassment, a felony.

Campbell, who lives on campus, has been suspended and barred from campus pending the outcome of the legal proceedings and the university’s student conduct process.

Campbell was arrested in connection with a threat posted on the online social media platform Yik Yak. University Police, as part of their investigation, obtained a search warrant and worked with Yik Yak to track down the source of the threatening post.

University Police are continuing their investigation of other recent online messages targeting students of color, particularly black students.

University Police Chief Darin Rasmussen thanked Yik Yak for their cooperation in the police investigation of the posts. Rasmussen also thanked the Bellingham Police Department for their assistance and the FBI, which has consulted with University Police during the investigation.