University Police Apprehend Suspects in Classroom Disturbance

Tue, 10/18/2022 - 06:13pm | By: University Police Department

University Police have apprehended two suspects in conjunction with a late afternoon disturbance in a Hattiesburg campus classroom at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM).

The suspects are believed to be part of a social media video prank, and entered an occupied Harkins Hall classroom at approximately 4:15 p.m. One of the apprehended individuals wore all black with Halloween-themed makeup, threw a cup of water on a student and made threatening remarks, while the second individual filmed the encounter.

The suspects fled from the classroom, and police were able to quickly apprehend the first suspect, while the second suspect reported to the University Police Department a short time later without further incident. 

University Police are currently interviewing witnesses, and the suspects are expected to be facing criminal charges. Neither of the apprehended individuals are believed to be currently affiliated with the University, and University Police do not believe there is an ongoing related threat to the USM community.

If you have related information, please contact University Police at 601-266-4986.