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Towson University Student Eric Barker Arrested For Making Threats On Social Media

TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- A 20-year-old Towson University student was arrested for making a threat of mass violence on Wednesday.

The Mount Airy Police Department was notified on Nov. 20 around 8:25 a.m. that Eric Barker was at a residence in the 300 block of Brindlewreath Way. Barker had an active arrest warrant from Towson University Police.

Barker was taken into custody.

Eric Baker
Eric Barker. Credit: Mount Airy Police

In a tweet, Towson University said Barker allegedly made threats of violence on social media. There is no threat to the campus.

"All threats of violence will be taken seriously. This threat was brought to TUPD by concerned members of our community and investigators moved quickly to apprehend a suspect. He is not allowed to return to campus,' the university said in a tweet.

He's is charged with making a threat of mass violence.

Toby Ziegler said he had a class with Barker and was shocked to hear what happened.

"I was not expecting that when I heard," Ziegler said. "I showed up to rehearsal on Wednesday and he wasn't there. And they said he's not coming back and I was like oh. I was quite shocked."

Other Towson University students said that the allegations against Barker are worrisome.

"You see a lot of things going on at different colleges across the country so it definitely is worrisome," Ryan Bucher said.

Barker was taken to Carroll County Central Booking for processing. He was released on a $30,000 bond.

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