Whitworth threat a hoax, law officers say

An online threat that prompted Whitworth University officials to increase campus security this morning was determined to be a hoax that started in Uruguay, Spokane County sheriff’s deputies said this afternoon. Whitworth officials posted extra security at campus entrances after a death threat was discovered on YouTube.com overnight. Investigators were concerned about an anonymous threat by someone to shoot the boyfriend of someone named Jane. Greg Orwig, Whitworth’s director of communications, said security guards were checking drivers as they entered campus today. Officials sent an e-mail alerting the campus of the threat. Students are on spring break until Monday. Sgt. Dave Reagan, of the sheriff’s department, said an investigation discovered that the threat was linked to a hoax originating in Uruguay and previously investigated by federal authorities. The threat was posted as a comment to a European music video.