CHLOE KOWALYK
Managing Editor
The Fredonia student accused of making threats of campus violence on Yik Yak last November is awaiting his day in court.
The student, identified as Malik K. Sissoko, has been charged with making a terroristic threat. He was charged on Nov. 23, 2022, he incident on Nov. 2.
He was arraigned on Jan. 25 and is set to reappear in court on June 28.
Sissoko’s Yik Yak threats towards students and faculty near and inside Thompson Hall were made at approximately 12:48 p.m.
According to University Police, these threats were reported to the department, and officers from UP and the Fredonia Police Department responded to the scene.
UP deemed the threats as not credible, and classes continued throughout the day while police maintained a heavy presence surrounding Thompson Hall.
Since Yik Yak is an anonymous posting app, UP had to do “investigative work” to determine who made the threats.
According to an email from Marketing and Communications that contained a statement from UP, later that same day, at 7:03 p.m., police arrested Sissoko and charged him with making a terroristic threat. Sissoko is currently 21 years old and was 20 years old at the time of the arrest.
The Leader obtained Sissoko’s name and additional information about the incident through a police report. The Leader received the police report after filing a Freedom of Information Act request.
An accusatory instrument felony complaint was filed under the State of New York County of Chautauqua Justice Court Village of Fredonia. The complainant is lieutenant Scott Martin, a University Police officer.
Making a terroristic threat falls under section 490.20, subdivision 1 of the Penal Law of New York State.
This states that “a person who is guilty of making a terroristic threat when with intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policy of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion, or affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping, he or she threatens to commit or causes to be committed a special offense and thereby causes a reasonable expectation or fear of the imminent commission of such offense.”
According to the complaint, Sissoko “did knowingly, unlawfully and intentionally cause fear of the imminent threat of violence involving the use of a firearm to the students, faculty and staff in and around Thompson Hall.”
Police say these threats made were: “I’m in Thomspon and I’m tryna die today bi*ch pull up;” “I’m outside with a gun looking to lynch negroes and crackers;” “I just shot a n****;” and “my life is gonna end” verbatim.
Leader reporter Izzie Inzinna spoke with a student familiar with Sissoko who said that the alleged threats were out of character with the friend they once knew.
The source discussed Sissoko’s character and wished to remain anonymous due to the nature of the case.
When asked about Sissoko, this person said “he was like a brother to me.” They had met Sissoko on a tour of the campus before either of the two attended Fredonia.
When asked to describe Sissoko, the source said he was a genuine and sweet person.
“You would never think that he could harm anyone, or even think about harming anyone,” he said.
This concerned friend felt that the alleged threats were out of character for Sissoko.
The source also added that they felt that Sissoko was misunderstood. They said that everyone has their own problems that they deal with and that everyone has a breaking point. They said when that breaking point is reached, people tend to act out since they want to feel seen or heard.
The Leader discovered that Sissoko was removed from campus.
You can still find his email, however, any sent emails may bounce. You cannot find his information through the Online Student Directory in YourConnection.
Further updates will be provided by The Leader as they are discovered.
Izzie Inzinna contributed to this report.