No Charges in Online USF 'Threat'

WUSF | By Mark Schreiner

Published September 1, 2015 at 1:08 PM EDT

Comment taken from the social media app Yik Yak that some took to be a threat against USF.

A Tampa teenager who posted what law enforcement officials called "vague and nonspecific anonymous threats" against the University of South Florida on a social media site Sunday night will not face charges.

According to the University Police Department, Antonie Romel Taylor, 18, lives near USF but is not a student at the school.

On Sunday night, during a conversation on the social media app Yik Yak, Taylor was engaged in a conversation where authorities said he was making political statements. Another user accused him of planning a shooting to which law enforcement said Taylor "provided a sarcastic response."

That response was deleted a short time later, but Yik Yak officials contacted University Police. With the assistance of company officials, UP officers were able to contact Taylor and determine he was not making a serious threat and did not plan any violent activity.

As a result, Taylor will not face charges.

However, USF Police issued a statement Tuesday afternoon reminding students and staff of the seriousness of such internet postings:

Please remember that social media postings are public and any threat of violence made on these sites is subject to all state and federal laws. Threats made against the University of South Florida will be taken seriously, investigated by the USFPD and prosecuted if warranted.