Update on False Report of Man with Gun on MIT Campus

On Saturday, February 23, 2012, the Cambridge Police Department received a report via an electronic communication of a person with a gun inside a building on MIT’s campus.  This report was received via an internet relay. 

An internet relay is typically used to allow persons who may have hearing or speech impairments to communicate with any phone user in the US, usually by instant messaging.

The relay service used in this instance was a Sprint relay service, and a Sprint employee notified the police department of the conversation with the reporting party.

During this conversation, a possible suspect was mentioned and police immediately identified and interviewed him.  After questioning, police determined that this individual had no knowledge of the incident and do not believe he was involved in making this false report at this time.

The investigation remains ongoing and Cambridge Police are coordinating with their counterparts at the MIT Police Department, FBI, and Secret Service.  The department has also been in contact with the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office and will file charges if the original reporting party can be located.

Cambridge Police are asking anyone with information to please share that information with investigators by calling 617-349-3300.  Those who wish to share information anonymously can learn how to do so via phone, email, or text message by visiting the department’s website at www.CambridgePolice.org/Tips.