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Snapchat threat prompts evacuation of college

Posted at 6:59 PM, Sep 18, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-18 20:59:55-04

A Snapchat video referencing a "Columbine-type incident," shot from inside a classroom, prompted the evacuation of the Front Range Community College's Fort Collins campus on Friday afternoon.

Fort Collins police were called to the Larimer Campus around 11:30 a.m. by school security, who had informed them of the video.

"The initial information given to police was that someone had published a Snapchat video referencing a Columbine-type incident. The video appeared to be shot from inside a classroom on campus. The video was believed to have been made prior to today," Fort Collins police said.

After meeting with police, school administrators decided to evacuate the campus around 1:19 p.m.

 "Do not come to campus until instructed. If on campus, take your belongings and evacuate the campus," the school posted on its website."The Larimer Campus is closed until 5 p.m. today (9/18) because of a campus security concern. Do not return to campus until informed to do so. We will provides updates on the FRCC website and all of our other communications networks. Classes and activities at other campuses are unaffected and will be held as scheduled."

Working with the school, police investigators quickly identified and located the person who had made the video.

FRCC student Sebastian Calvo, 19, was arrested and taken to the Larimer County Jail for suspicion of interference with staff, faculty, or students of educational institutions.

The school said the threat was specific to a teacher or student. 

"The Larimer Campus received a report of an individual making a threat against a student and instructor on the FRCC Larimer Campus. The threat was posted on social media," the school said.

The threat was cleared about a half-hour later and the evacuation was lifted.

By 3 p.m., the school's website no longer had information about the evacuation. The campus reopened at 5 p.m.

FRCC is a Colorado Community College with campuses located in Westminster, Fort Collins, Boulder, Longmont, Brighton and online.