Mass text says avoid downtown

Students across campus received a text message Tuesday night that the athletic department conducted a meeting with all athletes to instruct them to stay off Fourth Avenue on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, this weekend.
The text said the Huntington Police Department was notified that Detroit gang members are planning to come to Huntington in retaliation for the club shooting that happened Saturday at Club Babylon on Fourth Avenue.
Whether this is completely true has not been clarified, but it is scary to think about.
However, why weren’t we notified through the Marshall Alert text messages? Why did those who received it get it from a friend who is an athlete or who knows an athlete? If this was indeed confirmed by the athletic department, why wasn’t everyone notified officially, rather than only the athletes getting called into a meeting?
It is possible this is all a rumor, but shouldn’t we be careful just in case it isn’t?
Just to be safe, steer clear of Fourth Avenue and other streets that aren’t well-lit or have club activity. If you had planned on going out this weekend, maybe plan a get-together at an apartment and hang out there instead. And definitely don’t go anywhere alone. Be smart about this possible situation.
There is no reason to lock yourself up in-doors for three days, but be cautious this weekend.
Even if it turns out to be nothing, you will be better off staying away from any of the possibilities.

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4 comments

Francie Hartsog-Dolack

Fri Nov 13 2009 16:04

Whether this was a rumor or not, crime and gang violence has increased over the past few years and everyone living in Huntington should be concerned. As an alumni and a parent of a senior at Marshall, I have been shocked to see how "run down" and dangerous Huntington has become. It seems to me the citizens of Huntington should be demanding something be done about the problems with gangs and drugs. It is no secret Huntington is called "Little Detroit". My fear is that Marshall will be a casualty of a dead city.

Scott

Thu Nov 12 2009 08:54

Wow, when I worked at the Parthenon, we would've actually checked our facts before printing an "editorial" that only feeds the frenzy. If McClure was back, she'd let you all know what was up!

Your name

Wed Nov 11 2009 23:56

Hmmm, I'd be interested to see who the originator of these messages was. Just because there was no "formal" message released by the university it does not mean that some type of message was leaked to a certain segment of students. Perhaps I am being paranoid, but I am just wondering.

Bill Bissett

Wed Nov 11 2009 11:40

Following last weekend’s incident on Fourth Avenue, there are many rumors being spread through text messaging. Marshall University and its Athletic Department have not issued a formal statement or response to this incident. Such information should be considered erroneous. However, as we always strongly suggest to our faculty, staff and students, they need to be aware of their surroundings at all times and take great care, especially at night. As is often said by our Marshall University Chief of Police Jim Terry, “Good things rarely occur after midnight.” We are in constant contact with the Huntington Police Department and other law enforcement agencies regarding any threat to our campuses. We are making this statement to prevent rumors from creating a false and unnecessary state of panic.

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