Criminal makes threat to Williams Baptist College

COLLEGE CITY, Ark. – Law enforcement from across Northeast Arkansas descended upon the campus of Williams Baptist College after a criminal threatened the campus Monday.

The threatening call came in early Monday morning at about 12:25 a.m. to Lawrence County dispatch from a deactivated cell phone number, Sheriff Jeff Yates said.

“I believe they said, ‘In ten minutes, we’re going to go to Williams and start shooting,'” Yates said.

In a moments notice, law enforcement officers from a litany of different departments converged onto the college campus. Those responding included Walnut Ridge police, Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies, Ravenden police, Hoxie police, Williams Baptist Campus Security, Lawrence County CID, Arkansas State Police criminal investigators and Arkansas State Police.

With intersections sealed off, contact was made with several students by responding officers. Some were escorted off campus for their safety while dorms were sealed for security.

Officers searched all buildings but found no suspicious activity. Law enforcement was on the scene until 2 a.m.

Williams Baptist College Vice-President for Institutional Advancement, Brett Cooper, said the Office of Campus Safety is on heightened alert today and asking everyone to report anything unusual they may see or hear, but otherwise, it has been a pretty routine day on campus.

“We are very thankful for the quick response from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Walnut Ridge Police Department, Arkansas State Police and others who assisted last night,” Cooper said. “It is comforting to see a plan of action work so efficiently with all the agencies involved.”