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UT student arrested on terror charges
'I was almost the second sniper on the Tower,' said McCelvey's arrest affidavit
By Stephen Keller & Larry Dechant
UTPD arrested economics sophomore Justin McCelvey Saturday morning, after two of his peers called the University's behavior concerns advice line. Officials accused McCelvey of making terroristic threats, a third degree felony. If convicted, he could face two to 10 years in prison. UTPD Chief Robert Dahlstrom said McCelvey is temporarily suspended and banned from campus as of Monday but has the right to appeal the decision. "I'm just very disappointed that anybody in any situation would make statements like that," Dahlstrom said. "They seemed extremely direct to me and very much to the point." McCelvey walked around campus with a friend, and posted fliers for a local band on Friday when their conversation took a turn, according to the arrest affidavit. McCelvey told his friend, "College ruined my life" and "I wish I could go into a classroom and shoot everybody." He continued to say, "I was almost the second sniper on the Tower" and "I wish I could sit on top of a bomb and let it go off and blow up everybody." The friend told McCelvey, "It's kind of fucked up that you could say that," the affidavit said. The friend told police that McCelvey responded with a nonchalant "I know." The friend said the conversation continued for another 20 to 30 minutes and that he found it disturbing. The friend told police he never saw a gun, but McCelvey said he keeps a shotgun in his truck, the affidavit said. McCelvey's roommate also said he was worried McCelvey would hurt himself or others, the affidavit said. Police came to their room in University Towers on Friday to question him, but he could not be found, Dahlstrom said. He said officers came back the next day with a warrant and arrested him. Dahlstrom said they know McCelvey was in possession of a weapon, but he did not bring it on University property. A student in McCelvey's speech class said she was shocked when she heard about the arrest. She saw McCelvey in class Monday but did not suspect anything was wrong. The Texan strives to present all information fairly, accurately and completely.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 15
Matt
posted 4/30/08 @ 8:11 AM CST
What exactly was this kid arrested for? Sounds more like a cry for help than a tangible terroristic threat. There is a Orwellian stink to this, based on what is gathered from this article, anyway. (Continued…)
Peter
posted 4/30/08 @ 11:32 AM CST
Why don't we focus on why McCelvey wanted to blow everyone up (figuratively) instead of the 'terroristic threats' that we have become so hardened to. I didn't see his remarks as threats, but a reiterations of what we hear everyday placed into common conversation. (Continued…)
Jason
posted 4/30/08 @ 11:39 AM CST
McCelvey was arrested for threatening to kill people. He will get his due process and the severity of the threat will be assessed. The police cannot wait until he acts on these threats to take action because people get killed. (Continued…)
Brad
posted 4/30/08 @ 1:44 PM CST
WOW. So all I have to do is call this 'turn in your neighbor' hotline and I can get everyone arrested I don't like. Sweet.
devon
posted 4/30/08 @ 5:04 PM CST
Cool. Terrorism hotlines! The new McCarthism!
Jon
posted 4/30/08 @ 9:07 PM CST
Ah Thoughtcrime. War is peace after all right? Jason...the police BY THE CONSTITUTION have to wait until he does something. This is a ridiculous witch hunt. (Continued…)
Michelle
posted 5/01/08 @ 12:18 AM CST
Well I whole-heartedly agree with your logic Jason. Well said.
Ben May
posted 5/01/08 @ 8:56 AM CST
Student is angry, disappointed in their education and wants to blow up UT - what is NEW here?
what??
posted 5/01/08 @ 5:28 PM CST
So why weren't the fraternity members arrested for commiting terristic interrogation techniques in rites of membership?
IE: cattle prod/boarding, alcohol-boarding, bows and toe/boarding. (Continued…)
The IceMan
posted 5/02/08 @ 1:41 AM CST
Man everyone needs to chill out and stop acting like they know justin mckelvey and quit saying all this stupid stuff, i know him i went to school with him and i know what he said was just a joke or maybe out of stress but i know he did not mean what he said and would not really go through with it. (Continued…)
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