CSU Fullerton menace turned out to be a pupil’s unhealthy Nintendo joke

Cal State Fullerton was on excessive alert after an individual believed to be a pupil despatched what officers perceived as a “vague threat to campus,” however the message turned out to be a reference to a Nintendo occasion, authorities mentioned.

The particular person despatched an electronic mail Tuesday urging a professor to cancel class the subsequent day resulting from a “once-in-a-lifetime event,” saying that the professor ought to achieve this “for the good of humanity,” in keeping with campus police.

The professor reported the e-mail, sending the CSUF Police Department scrambling to find out whether or not there was a menace to campus Wednesday.

“After hours of investigation by our detectives, we learned of a Nintendo Direct event that would occur at the exact date and time the individual suggested the class be canceled,” appearing Chief Scot Willey mentioned in a statement Tuesday night time. “The individual … then reached back out to the professor via email admitting it was a bad joke regarding the Nintendo Direct event.”

The occasion in query is a livestream by Nintendo saying a few of the video games that will likely be launched for the Nintendo Switch within the first half of this 12 months.

Students on social media reported an “emptier than usual” campus Wednesday, with many lessons not assembly.

“2/3 of my classes cancelled today. Crazy world we live in folks. Be Safe Titans!” one Reddit person commented within the Cal State Fullerton subreddit.

“Campus seemed emptier than usual and there was less traffic for my 8:30 am class so it looks like many took this seriously,” mentioned one other.

Theater professor Holly Sneed wrote in a message to college students that she was canceling in-person class out of “an abundance of caution.”

The CSUF Police Department mentioned further officers, together with a K9 crew, could be on campus Wednesday even though authorities didn’t consider there was an lively menace.

“We understand that a threat of any kind, real or not, causes many to fear for their safety,” Willey mentioned.