Letter to Campus Community Following Arrest in Snapchat Case

Dear SDSU Community, 
Earlier today, University Police arrested an individual for allegedly making criminal threats via Snapchat toward a member of San Diego State University’s Black community. This message contains relevant updates and information about what we know and what resources are available to the campus community. 

About the Investigation 

University Police became aware of the threats shared via Snapchat on Monday, April 29 at 11:06 p.m. Given the severity of the verbal threats, University Police began to investigate the incident immediately, working in collaboration with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Hate Crimes Unit.  
The District Attorney’s Office has a specialized unit dedicated to prosecuting and preventing hate crimes. The office is reviewing the case.  

SDSU’s Response 

At SDSU, we do not tolerate any act in which a person or people threatens, oppresses or injures someone based on their background. Not only is this behavior counter to the values we hold as a community, but such behavior also violates the law and a person’s civil rights.
In addition to the ongoing investigation, we have taken a number of immediate steps to increase the safety and support for the individual targeted and for other members of our campus community who may feel unsafe. These include:

• The university sharing information on Monday that it was aware of the situation and would not tolerate such threatening actions. 
• University Police and others at SDSU have been in contact with the person known to be the target of the message. To help ensure the privacy and safety of that individual, no additional information will be shared about them.
• Several university departments have come together to offer support to the individual who was targeted. 

Supports Offered

We know that while a single member of our community was targeted in this case, others may have been impacted. We encourage you, no matter your background or proximity to this case, to reach out if you need support. 

• Dean of Students, Randy Timm, is offering support to any student who needs help. He may be reached via [email protected] or 619-594-5211.
• Counseling and Psychological Services is offering support, and may be reached via 619-594-5220 or [email protected]. 
• SDSU employees are being encouraged to contact the Employee Assistance Program as they need support by calling 1-800-342-8111 and visiting the Employee Assistance Program website. 

Campus Reporting Resources

• Students, faculty, and staff who experience or believe to be the victim of a hate crime should immediately make a report to the University Police by calling 619-594-1991 or emailing [email protected]. Incidents should also be reported to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities or the Office of Employee Relations and Compliance.
• Students, faculty, and staff who experience sexual misconduct, dating and domestic violence, or stalking should contact Title IX. More information about Title IX is available online: https://titleix.sdsu.edu/

Take Action 

We have shared via earlier communications that students, faculty, staff and others have come together in one of the most important ways to support members of the Black community by signing a pledge of support. We encourage you to sign the pledge and to share it with your peers and colleagues. More than 900 SDSU community members have signed a campus wide pledge supporting SDSU’s Black community and others (available online: https://diversity.sdsu.edu/inclusion/pledge). 
Freedom from discrimination, harassment and violence are basic, fundamental rights and we refute all instances of intolerance and also abusive behaviors. Our institutional culture and values appreciate and respect difference and our collective diversity. 

Adela de la Torre San Diego State University President 
Josh Mays University Police Chief 
J. Luke Wood Chief Diversity Officer