Police arrest St. Olaf student on suspicion of making violent threats

The arrest in the Twin Cities came after an investigation and search of the student's dorm room, a school official said.

St. Olaf College
Police said they do not believe there is any ongoing threat to campus safety at St. Olaf College in Northfield. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Police arrested a 20-year-old St. Olaf College student in Hennepin County on suspicion of making threats of violence, after firearm magazines and other items were found in his dorm room.

The arrest came after someone told campus safety officials about the magazines and other weapons items in the dorm. College officials interviewed the student, Northfield police said in a news release. He was suspended Wednesday, just days after students returned from spring break.

An email sent to the St. Olaf community from Public Safety Director Derek Kruse did not detail the threats.

"I recognize that this news is unsettling, and raises many questions," Kruse wrote.

Police said they do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the campus' safety.

Northfield police said a search of the student's dorm room turned up more items connected to "potential acts of violence."

Police did not detail what was found but said the items led them to call the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and to seek a warrant to arrest the student on a charge of threats of violence. Northfield police arrested the student without incident, they said.

Kruse asked anyone with information on the incident to fill out the school's online community concern form.

"Please continue to look out for each other and seek out mental health support if needed as our community processes this situation," Kruse said.

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Louis Krauss

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Louis Krauss is a general assignment reporter for the Star Tribune.

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Josie Albertson-Grove

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Josie Albertson-Grove covers politics and government for the Star Tribune.

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