©2011 Galesburg Broadcasting Co.
| Police: Text Message Threats Unfounded |
The Galesburg Police Department has recently been receiving information that concerns the possible planning of a gang shooting at a local store.
The Galesburg Police say they have heard from residents who say they have received text messages on their cell phones in regards to an incident of a planned street shooting at an unidentified Wal-Mart in the southeastern and midwestern United States.
Reports across the country note that this kind of rumor is not limited to the local area. E-mails and text messages over the last few years indicate the same kind of information and rumors about gang initiations at local stores in Washington D.C., Houston, Memphis, and in Greensboro, North Carolina. Most of the information is about a gang initiation where a an African-American woman is either abducted, killed, or just had their purse snatched by others wanting to get into the gang. Previous messages have included varying business locations and related criminal activity.
The Galesburg Police in conjunction with the Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center say they have been unable to locate any information confirming the text messages as being accurate.
Although reports of these messages are often determined to be unfounded, law enforcement agencies say they remain vigilant about the potential for violent events. Galesburg Police say security for the retail sector, along with private citizens, should always report any suspicious activity to the police immediately. |
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| 03 20 09 by Newsroom |
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