U Of I Sends Out Scary Text Message By Mistake
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WBBM) -- The University of Illinois police department is a little red-faced, after scaring some students and university staff members Thursday with a frightening text message that was sent by mistake.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Mike Krauser reports, the message warned that there was an "active shooter" on the Urbana-Champaign campus, and advised people to escape the area, if possible, or to shield and secure their location.
LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Mike Krauser reports
Podcast
Jeff Bossert was working at the campus radio station at the time.
"This incited quite a bit of panic from our own employees, who were calling public safety and couldn't get through," he said.
The phone lines for campus public safety were tied up, because so many others were calling.
University spokesman Jeff Unger said it was an accident.
At the time, the Illini-alert system was being updated, Unger said.
"The person inadvertently hit 'send' rather than 'save,'" Unger said. "It's as unfortunate and simple as that."
But here was a clue that it might have been a mistake. Unger described the text message as looking "a little odd."
This was because it read, "Active shooter at BUILDING NAME/INTERSECTION," that is, leaving generic placeholder descriptors in place.
Luckily, students are away from campus for spring break right now, averting what Bossert "absolutely" agreed would have been a mess.
"This incited a lot of panic even weren't nearly as many people on campus," he said.
A disregard message came about 10 minutes later.
