On Campus

McGill student investigated over Twitter threats

Conservative film screening prompts comments about shooting ‘everyone in this room’

Montreal police are investigating a McGill University student who allegedly posted threatening comments to Twitter, the McGill Tribune reported. Haaris Khan made the comments while attending a film screening of Indoctrinate U, hosted by Conservative McGill and Libertarian McGill last Wednesday.

One of Khan’s messages, according to screen shots obtained by campus Conservatives, read, “I want to shoot everyone in this room,” while another read, “I should have brought an M16.” Indoctrinate U is a documentary that alleges American universities are biased against conservative ideas, and around 20 people attended the McGill screening. Khan also wrote that “I’ve infiltrated a Zionist meeting” and “I feel like I’m at a Satanist ritual.”

After learning of the Twitter messages last Thursday, Conservative McGill members contacted university security, who informed the police. Police opened an investigation, but no arrests have yet been made. It was confirmed that Khan does not own a gun.

Khan, who has since deactivated his Twitter account, says the comments were not intended as genuine threats.” Whatever comes into my mind, I say it on Twitter,” he told the Tribune.

Kevin Pidgeon, a Conservative McGill member, said he did feel threatened by the online remarks. “I’m 100 per cent for free speech . . . But when it encroaches on my and about 15 other people’s right to life . . . I think right to life wins out over right to free speech,” he said.

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