CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — A man has been arrested for making several concerning and threatening social media posts against the University of Virginia, police said.
Charlottesville Police Department (CPD), while working in conjunction with the University of Virginia Police Department, was made aware of the threat on a social media post on Monday, Nov. 14, around 10:30 a.m.
Police began an investigation into the postings and the individual they believed to be responsible for posting them.
Detectives with the CPD obtained and served a search warrant for an address associated with Bryan Michael Silva, 31, in the 200 block of West Main Street in the City of Charlottesville around 4 p.m., authorities said.
The CPD said they and UVA do not believe at this time that those threats made by Silva were related to the shooting that killed three members of the UVA football team and injured two other students.
"However, we understand the fear this caused in our community and acted swiftly to resolve the investigation," the department said. Charlottesville police did not confirm the exact content of the posts.
Silva was charged with possession or transportation of firearms, firearms ammunition, stun weapons, explosives, or concealed weapons by convicted felons and possession of a controlled substance.
"Silva was also served an outstanding and active protective order issued by the Albermarle County General District Court," police said. Silva is being held without bond at the Albemarle - Charlottesville Regional Jail.
Charlottesville police are asking anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact CPD at 434-970-3820 or Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 434-977-4000.
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