A threat warning has been issued by the University of Minnesota Police Department.
Early Thursday, they received a specific threat to "shoot persons" on the Twin Cities' campus and searching for Joseph Mark Rongstad who is described as 6 feet tall, 195 pounds, brown hair and hazel eyes. This information comes directly from the University of Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
There is no clothing or vehicle descriptions available. The campus is open with normal operations. All buildings will be on UCard access only. Employees are encouraged to work from home however.
The threat originated on social media. A post on Facebook said " Here we go AMERICA, I'm heading out from Watson, MN to the U of M Minneapolis, MN to start killing kids this AM as Joseph Mark Rongstad."
Students are still on break, so there are very few on campus at this time, but there are many staff members and faculty still there. This is not an active shooter situation and there is no information to suggest that the person is anywhere near campus. The UMPD is still urging caution until more information is available.
UMPD will have extra officers on campus with partner agencies. The BCA and the suspect's home sheriff agency are investigating the incident.