A campuswide alert was issued last night when police became aware of a threatening e-mail delivered to a UCSB chemistry professor.

The University of California Police Dept. is currently conducting an investigation to determine who is responsible for the incident. According to a UCPD officer on the scene, the individual responsible for the threat was a former UCSB student who does not reside in the immediate area.

UCPD refused to comment on the identities of the suspect or the professor, citing the ongoing investigation.

While the threat is specific to the individual professor, the alert, sent via the new UCSB Alert system, advises persons conducting business in or around the chemistry facility to be vigilant. The chemistry facility and surrounding area will be under increased surveillance as a precautionary measure until the subject is located and arrested.

Patrolling officers from both UCPD and the Community Service Organization will be posted at the site and conduct random walkthroughs to ensure the safety of students and faculty. UCPD could provide no further information as of press time, but urged persons to contact 9-911 to report any suspicious activity.

All students registered in the recently implemented UCSB Alert system database received a cautionary e-mail and text message notifying them of the situation at around 6 p.m. yesterday evening. Yesterday marked the first time the tool was utilized to contact students. Students can register for UCSB Alert at http://alert.ucsb.edu. Additionally, UCPD is available at (805) 893-7188.
-Staff Report

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