FBI seeks public help in SIU threats case

CARBONDALE — The FBI is asking for the public’s help in identifying who made threats against Southern Illinois University in Carbondale last fall.

The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan reports that authorities say the first threat was made against the school last September, a day before a bomb threat forced the late-night evacuation of a campus building. Both threats were mailed.

Calling the threats “frightening,” the FBI said Tuesday they were not a harmless prank even though no one was harmed. The agency says evacuations are disruptive.

The FBI says the person behind the threats is likely immature and may have various grievances, been continually angry during last fall’s semester “and prone to making rash, if unbelievable, statements about his complaints.”

Anyone with information about the case is urged to call (618) 453-3771.