Matthew Harris: Former UCLA lecturer tied to a violent ‘manifesto’ is in custody
Upon reviewing the emails, UCLA police tracked the author, identified as Matthew Christopher Harris, 31, to Colorado, Boulder Police Chief Maris Harold announced on Tuesday.
“Upon reviewing parts of the manifesto, we identified thousands of references to violence, stating things such as ‘killing, death, murder, shootings, bombs, schoolyard massacre in Boulder,’ and phrases like ‘burn and attack Boulder’ outside of the university,” Harold said.
“The level of violence that we saw in the manifesto was obviously so alarming,” said Harold. “I can tell you it was very violent, very disturbing.”
The Boulder PD SWAT team was activated shortly before 8 a.m. local time and nearby schools, homes, and businesses were evacuated while the suspect’s apartment was surrounded.
A crisis-intervention team and negotiators reached Harris by phone and after speaking to him several times very briefly, took him into custody without incident, Harold said. It is unclear whether Harris has an attorney.
“Today was a scary day for the people of Boulder,” said Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty.
Harris was being held on state charges, but Dougherty’s office later said the suspect was being transferred to federal custody as of Tuesday evening and is expected to face federal charges because “the alleged threats were made across state lines and victims are located in California.”
Harris attempted to buy a gun in early November, but was denied, Harold said.
“Based on a protection order that was issued in the state of California, there was a national database that included a provision that he was not allowed to purchase or possess a firearm. Based on that, we believe at this point — and again, it’s early in the investigation — that was the basis for the denial when he attempted to purchase the firearm,” said Finegan.
Boulder Police previously made contact with the suspect last October and are still reviewing that incident. No charges were filed, Harold said.
Threats allegedly made against UCLA staff and students
UCLA moved classes on Tuesday as word of the threats emerged and will return to in-person classes Wednesday, according to a memo sent to students.
“We are greatly relieved to share that law enforcement officers in Colorado have taken into custody the individual who made threats against some members of our UCLA community yesterday,” Assistant Vice Chancellor Suzanne L. Seplow wrote in a message to students.
“I want to inform you that the UCLA Police Department is aware of a concerning email and posting sent to some…
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