U Chicago Suspect Allegedly Wanted to Kill Students, 'White Policemen'

The suspect in an online threat against the University of Chicago -- a student from a nearby college -- allegedly wanted to kill more than a dozen students or staff and "any number of white policemen that I can in the process," officials said Monday.

Jabari Dean, 21, was charged with transmitting a threat in interstate commerce, according to federal prosecutors. If convicted, the charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

"In a Thanksgiving weekend posting on a social media website, Dean stated that he would execute approximately sixteen students or staff members on the campus quad of the University of Chicago on Nov. 30, 2015," the Justice Department's release states.

"Dean also stated in the posting that he would die 'killing any number of white policemen that I can in the process," the statement reads.

In the online post, Dean reportedly set a 10 a.m. deadline and the Justice Department statement reports that he was arrested prior to that time.

The University of Illinois at Chicago, which is about eight miles north of the University of Chicago, has put out a statement confirming that one of its students was arrested in connection to "an investigation of threats made against students and staff at the University of Chicago."

The UIC statement noted that the person was a student living off campus.

This comes after the University of Chicago announced Sunday night that it would be closing campus today because of "an online threat of gun violence." The online threat "specifically" mentioned "the campus quad," according to the school's statement.

"Based on the FBI's assessment of this threat and recent tragic events at other campuses across the country, we have decided in consultation with federal and local law enforcement officials, to exercise caution by canceling all classes and activities on the Hyde Park campus through midnight on Monday," the statement said.

Two other area schools announced that they would also be closed today, with one noting that the issue was its proximity to the University of Chicago rather than a different threat.