U of T issues warning to students, faculty after online threats made

Toronto police confirmed they’re aware of the anonymous threats, which were made several days ago, and have assigned a detective to the case.

A police investigation is underway after online threats were made targeting students and faculty at the University of Toronto.

According to the e-mail, police presence has been increased at all three U of T campuses.

A U of T spokesperson would not confirm the target of the threats, but did say the school is working with Toronto and Peel police on the investigation. “Go to the nearest Sociology or Women Studies classroom next week and fire bullets into the Professor’s head and spray bullets all over the room until all the feminists are dead”. Cheryl Regehr, the vice-president and provost at the school, sent out a campus-wide email saying that the school is taking the situation “very seriously”. The comments, which have since been removed, include the user’s assertion that “feminists who act rude to you at the University of Toronto should be shot to death” as well as instructions as to where a gun can be acquired in Toronto.

“We did assist the Toronto Police in an investigation”, a spokesperson from the Peel Regional Police told the Star on Thursday. The comment, posted in a thread about restaurants, and written by someone with the handle “Kill Feminists”, has since been deleted. The publisher of the popular news and culture website declined to comment for this story.

Regehr ended the email encouraging students to contact Campus Police and the Office of Public Safety with any concerns, or to report any suspicious activity.

While the release from the university does not provide details on the nature of the threats, a release issued by CUPE Local 3902 – which represents academic staff – said that the threats ‘were made specifically toward women and feminists’.

“As your Union, it is our job to remind you that you have the legal right to refuse unsafe work”, said Culpepper.