Racial tensions, election could spark more domestic threats, terror expert says

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Duke University professor David Schanzer, who’s studied domestic threats and domestic terrorism for more than 15 years, predicts that in the weeks leading up to Election Day there will be more news-making events like the one that forced UNC Asheville to close Friday.

“I think we just need to be calm, act in our professional capacities, take prudent protective measures and then, hopefully, move on with our lives” said Schanzer, a professor at Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy.

Schanzer said threats that can lead to heightened security can stem from racial tensions that have been building across the nation.

“We are in a period of very heightened tension for a variety of reasons. We’re in an election season. The president has also called into question the legitimacy of the election," Schanzer said.

ANYONE ON THE UNCA CAMPUS IS ASKED TO REMAIN "SHELTERED IN PLACE" AT THIS TIME

UNCA officials said Friday several offices had received an email communicating a direct threat and demanding that the Black Lives Matter mural on University Heights be painted over.

A UNCA spokesperson said student-body government students, along with student-athletes, painted the large mural a week ago Wednesday on the main road through campus.

“Obviously, the issues with respect to protests about race and policing have led to a lot of tension in classes throughout society," Schanzer said.

Sarah Broberg, a spokesperson for UNCA, said about at about noon, school officials were conducting internal briefings and the hope was the campus lockdown would be lifted by Friday afternoon. However, the shelter in place order wasn't lifted until 7 p.m.

Broberg said the SBI, FBI and APD are involved in the investigation.

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