Kent State Student Charged with Inducing Panic

A student at Kent State University is facing a felony charge of inducing panic, according to university officials.

Kent State police charged William Koberna, 19, of Brunswick with inducing panic, a fifth-degree felony, and aggravated menacing, a first-degree misdemeanor, related to a public tweet in which he threatened violence to the university campus, according to university officials.

Kent State spokesperson Eric Mansfield said Koberna reportedly threatened to use a fire arm on campus.

The 19-year-old sophomore, formerly of Kent, was taken into custody this afternoon by Brunswick Police after they served an arrest warrant at his residence.

The charges were not listed publicly on either Portage or Medina county online court dockets as of Sunday evening and likely won't be posted until Monday. His arraignment also is scheduled for Monday.

Mansfield said in a press release that Koberna faces university hearings that could lead to his suspension or dismissal.

"Any threat to our campus community is taken seriously and immediately investigated,” said Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton in prepared remarks. “Our students, employees, and all those who come to campus should know that their safety is our top priority.”