(Stillwater, Okla.) — An Oklahoma State University student accused of making a terrorism hoax “is no longer allowed on campus pending the outcome of student conduct proceedings,” university spokesman Carrie Hulsey-Greene told KUSH on Monday.
Kyron Christopher Birdine, 18, who lived in Allen Hall, was arrested on April 21 by OSU police following a student’s tip about a post on the anonymous social media app Yik Yak, according to a university news release.
Birdine was charged with posting on April 19 “on a social media account that he was planning to commit a school shooting on the 24th day of April 2015, on the campus of Oklahoma State University,” court records show.
Birdine could receive as much as a 10-year prison term if convicted of making a terrorism hoax. He remains free on $50,000 bond pending a May 4 court appearance when he can seek a preliminary hearing on the felony charge.
After being alerted about the post, “OSU promptly contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Yik Yak. “Working with the FBI, Yik Yak and a cell phone provider, investigators narrowed the search for a suspect,” the news release said.
“OSU Police Chief Mike Robinson said, ‘We appreciate the assistance of the FBI, Yik Yak and the cell phone provider in helping us quickly identify the suspect. We also appreciate the student who notified OSU Police immediately about the post.
“Even though users of the service have anonymity, Yik Yak will use its resources to help identify a user when contacted by law enforcement about a criminal act or threat.
“Since the threat was for Friday (April 24), investigators did not believe the posts posed an immediate threat to the campus. Still, the university took the threat seriously at all times.
“OSU was prepared to release information about the threat to campus, but did not want to impede investigators while progress was being made quickly in the investigation,” the news release said.
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