Threat Against Obama's Niece Prompts Security Hike
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (WJZ) -- A security scare at the University of Maryland when the athletic department receives threats of a man with a gun. The call came ahead of Monday night's March Madness game at the Xfinity Center.
The target--President Obama's niece--who plays for Princeton.
Meghan McCorkell has more on the developing story.
The University of Maryland Police say they received a call from a woman who was worried that a man she knew may be on campus with a gun and may have mentioned the president's niece.
According to USA Today, an eight-minute voicemail was left at the University of Maryland Athletics Department. In it, a woman makes a threat against Leslie Robinson--President Obama's niece.
Robinson is a freshman forward for the Princeton Tigers, who faced off against the Lady Terps Monday night.
In the message, USA Today reports the woman said a man was driving around the College Park campus with a Glock handgun, targeting Robinson.
Security inside the arena was increased with undercover security officers near the Princeton bench.
Secret Service was already on hand because Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan were at the game.
People who were inside the arena said they didn't notice the extra security.
This past Saturday, President Obama attended his niece's game, but he was not there Monday night.
Officials say Leslie Robinson was not informed of the threat against her before the game, but her coach was made aware.
"College Park police I'm sure had that under control. Leslie is safe. She's in my locker room. No one loves her like I do, and she's an important part of our team. So keep the freaks out of the gym," said Courtney Banghart, Princeton women's basketball coach.
University police now say the threat was unsubstantiated.
No one was hurt. The Maryland Terps did go on to win the game.
