UC Santa Cruz Police Officers arrested a 25-year-old Santa Cruz man in connection to an anonymous social media post that referenced creating explosives, homicide, suicide and a past university shooting.
A concerned parent called the campus police department at about 7 p.m. Wednesday after he discovered the post. Officers were able to find the suspect and evidence that he wrote the post.
Officers arrested Ayman Kareem Hawari on a suspicion of making terrorist threats and of resisting arrest. He was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail shortly after midnight. So far, officers have found no connection between Hawari and the campus. The investigation is ongoing.
The post didn't target any individuals, though it included general threats against two campus colleges, Oakes and Porter.
More concerned community members have contacted the police after seeing the post.
The police department is asking for the community's help in sharing any additional information about Hawari.
The UC Santa Cruz Police Department takes reports such as these very seriously and investigates them to their fullest extent. The department encourages the community to report these types of posts so that they may assessed and evaluated to determine if an investigation is needed.
Anyone who finds alarming social media posts is asked to contact law enforcement immediately by calling 911.
Safety Tips
Victims are not responsible for being victimized, regardless of any action or inaction on their part. Perpetrators are responsible for crimes and their effects.
- If you feel you or others are in danger, immediately call 911.
- Immediately report all crimes, suspicious people, activity or information to the UC Santa Cruz Police Department.
- Be alert to your surroundings. Your actions can help prevent others from becoming victims. Attempt to keep a safe distance from strangers.
- Whenever possible, please remember to lock you vehicle. Keep valuables secured and out of sight.
- Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uneasy, tell someone, avoid the person or leave the area.
- Encourage friends to travel in pairs or with trusted companions, especially at night or in remote areas.
- Use the Night Safety Escort Program, Monday through Thursday evening from 8:30 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. by calling 831-459-2231 ext. 1. More information can be found online.
Campus Resources
UC Santa Cruz is a community committed to being inclusive and welcoming of all people. We strive to provide a safe place for everyone to work and learn. The University Hate/Bias Response Team reviews all hate/bias incident reports to provide support and offer referral services. The community is encouraged to report all hate/bias crimes and incidents to UC Santa Cruz Police or online at reporthate.ucsc.edu.
For students, a range of support services is also available through the Cowell Student Health Center, including personal counseling through Counseling and Psychological Services and support through a Confidential Victim Advocate. More information can be found online at http://healthcenter.ucsc.edu/index.html
For students and employees, the Office of Harassment and Discrimination, Prevention and Investigation Unit can provide assistance and can be reached at 831-459-2462.
For employees, the Employee Assistance Program can provide personal counseling and support. More information can be found online at http://shr.ucsc.edu/benefits/eap/
The Office of Student Conduct can be reached at (831) 459-1738 or at http://deanofstudents.ucsc.edu/student-conduct/. Report all in-progress crimes by calling 911 from any landline or cell phone.Reports may also be made by using one of the many "blue light," emergency or elevator phones located throughout the campus, or in person at the UC Santa Cruz Police Department.
Community Resources
You should always call 911 if you, or someone you know, is at risk of harm to themselves or others and needs immediate help. Ask for a Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) officer.
If you are not in imminent danger but need immediate crisis support call Santa Cruz County Mental Health during business hours at 831-454-4170 or after hours for on-call assistance at 800-952-2335.
This bulletin is in compliance with 20 U.S.C. Section 1092 (f), the "Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act" ("Clery Act"), and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
