Los Angeles man arrested for Fresno State social media threat

Marc Cota-Robles Image
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Los Angeles man arrested for Fresno State social media threat
A Fresno State football player from Los Angeles has been arrested for allegedly threatening to shoot fellow students on the messaging app Yik Yak.

FRESNO, Calif. (KABC) -- A Fresno State football player from Los Angeles has been arrested for allegedly threatening to shoot fellow students on campus.

Police said 18-year-old Christian Malik Pryor allegedly sent out a threatening message through an app called Yik Yak.

The threat posted on Yik Yak said: "The time is here. @3PM I will release my frustrations. Tired of dirty looks, get rejected, nd being talked abt bc how I dress. My choice of weapon M4 Carbine and I will take a headshot at a hot blonde."

Yik Yak is an app that lets a user post anonymously, but that's not a guarantee.

"We took this information and quickly were able to track down the phone number that delivered the Yik Yak. In working with the company itself, we were able to get an IP address and more information," said Fresno State Police Chief David Huerta.

Fresno State police arrested Pryor within hours after posting on the app. By then, classes and activities all over campus had been disrupted.

"As soon as we were alerted that the suspect was in custody, and we were assured that the person in question acted alone, we notified the campus that classes would continue," said Fresno State Provost Lynnette Zelezny.

On Monday night, Pryor's older brother, Francisco Vidaud, apologized on his behalf.

"I apologize on behalf of my brother because I know this caused a lot of alarm to everyone, and I know it scared everyone and it puts a lot of fear into everyone's minds so I do want to apologize for my brother's actions," Vidaud said.

Pryor was a wide receiver on the football team at Locke High School in South Los Angeles, where he was named team MVP last year. He finished his senior season with 12 touchdowns.

The freshman football player now faces state and possibly federal charges. He was released from jail after posting $20,000 bond.

Fresno State officials say they are considering disciplinary action.