Aggravated Arson in Davis Hall
Bruce Jordan
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Campus News
For the first time in institution memory, a case of aggravated arson was committed within Davis Hall, on the fourth floor. In addition to this action, a threatening note was left in the men's bathroom, which, according to Stevens Police Chief Timothy Griffin, the "note stated a specific threat, for a specific time, in a specific location, that location being Davis."
Prior to Stevens Police finding the note, several students actually found it and pictures were distributed via text message. Chief Griffin wanted to stress that this is not the proper protocol, as the students should have contacted the police, so as to ensure that the crime scene was not contaminated in any way, shape or form. In addition, several items of evidence were recovered and have been sent to forensic processing.
The gravity of the situation was made clear when each and every residence hall was emptied of students and searched for explosive or incendiary devices. Fortunately, every search came up negative. The investigation is now in the hands of both Stevens Police and several external law enforcement agencies. This is due to the fact that, according to Chief Griffin, "What took place was well beyond a practical joke, or a hoax. The lives of the students in those rooms, and the building, were in jeopardy. The consequences for those actions could result in a prison sentence of 15 years, for both the aggravated arson and the terroristic threats."
At the time of printing, most of campus has returned to business as usual. The main exception to this is Davis Hall, which still has officers patrolling the halls at regular intervals and posted outside. Furthermore, there will be no non-Stevens visitors allowed within Davis Hall until further notice.
In spite of the terrible occurrence, there were some positives to come from this incident. Dr. Maureen Weatherall, Vice President for University Enrollment and Administration, said, "I would like to recognize those students and staff who worked for 24 hour[s], and the entire community for their cooperation during this incident." Kenneth Nilsen, Dean of Student Life, continued on a similar vein stating, "I am impressed by the cooperation and understanding by the student body through this entire event. They have continued to conduct themselves as professionals and have understood and respected the disruptions to their normal campus routine."
Prior to Stevens Police finding the note, several students actually found it and pictures were distributed via text message. Chief Griffin wanted to stress that this is not the proper protocol, as the students should have contacted the police, so as to ensure that the crime scene was not contaminated in any way, shape or form. In addition, several items of evidence were recovered and have been sent to forensic processing.
The gravity of the situation was made clear when each and every residence hall was emptied of students and searched for explosive or incendiary devices. Fortunately, every search came up negative. The investigation is now in the hands of both Stevens Police and several external law enforcement agencies. This is due to the fact that, according to Chief Griffin, "What took place was well beyond a practical joke, or a hoax. The lives of the students in those rooms, and the building, were in jeopardy. The consequences for those actions could result in a prison sentence of 15 years, for both the aggravated arson and the terroristic threats."
At the time of printing, most of campus has returned to business as usual. The main exception to this is Davis Hall, which still has officers patrolling the halls at regular intervals and posted outside. Furthermore, there will be no non-Stevens visitors allowed within Davis Hall until further notice.
In spite of the terrible occurrence, there were some positives to come from this incident. Dr. Maureen Weatherall, Vice President for University Enrollment and Administration, said, "I would like to recognize those students and staff who worked for 24 hour[s], and the entire community for their cooperation during this incident." Kenneth Nilsen, Dean of Student Life, continued on a similar vein stating, "I am impressed by the cooperation and understanding by the student body through this entire event. They have continued to conduct themselves as professionals and have understood and respected the disruptions to their normal campus routine."