Stetson University Student Arrested After Posting Bomb Threats On Snap Chat

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DeLand, FL - A Stetson University student was taken into custody after DeLand Police say he made online threats involving setting off a bomb at the university. 18-year-old Griffin Powell was arrested for making threats on Snap Chat against the university. Police say another student saw Powell's threatening posts on social media and alerted school officials on Sunday, and those alleged posts were made while Powell was away from campus. The University alerted officials, and Powell was arrested at his home in Clay County. He had been away from campus since it was evacuated due to Hurricane Irma. Powell had not had any previous incidents with the DeLand Police Department, and he had just started at Stetson University. "Out of concern for their friend and for the Stetson community, (the reporting student) took information to Public Safety, and because of that, they may have helped their friend and helped the Stetson community," Stetson University President Dr. Wendy B. Libby said in a statement on Stetson's social media. "I want you to know that we take the issues and concerns you bring to us very seriously, so if you see or hear anything that gives you pause or makes you feel uneasy, please say something. You can contact Public Safety 24/7 at 386-822-7300." DeLand Police Chief Jason Umberger spoke at a news briefing on Monday regarding the threat and the arrest. "All I will say about the threats is that they were specific and that they were concerning to us. There were some references made to bombs and gas, and they were very specific, and we immediately took action," says Umberger. Police could find no indication of racial tones in the threats. Due to the fact that the campus was evacuated at the time, Umberger said that no one was in danger on the campus. "We're very grateful that we received the information from the student, were able to take the action that we took when we took it, and he was not on the campus or anywhere near it when we received the information," says Umberger. Umberger says that the Police Department and a judge determined that there was enough information to secure a warrant for Powell's arrest, although police do not believe that Powell had any bomb-making materials on him at the time. Powell has since been released on bond of $20,000. He has also been banned from the Stetson University campus. This is an ongoing investigation, and more information will be released as it becomes available. DeLand Police are coordinating with other law enforcement agencies to uncover more information on the case. Umberger says that anyone with more information should call the DeLand Police Department at 386-626-7424 Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.