Alleged student assault leads to pending investigation

Roughly three weeks ago an incident occurred on campus which went unknown to many students. Freshman Harrison Callahan reportedly pulled a knife on a fellow student and threatened her, saying, “If you tell anyone about this I will cut your heart and kill you.”

All information regarding the incident was made public on Lehigh Valley Live after Callahan’s arraignment. The incident was not reported to The Weekly as part of the normal Campus Safety notes.

According to Lehigh Valley Live, Callahan was in his room the night of Jan. 28 with another student. When the other student received a text message Callahan reportedly became agitated and aggressive, pulling out a knife and threatening to strangle a second student with whom he was involved in a disciplinary hearing. The student in the room with Callahan supposedly attempted to calm him. He then pointed the knife at her throat and threatened her life as well.

The student’s friends came and removed her from Callahan’s room and on Jan. 30 both victims reported the incident to Campus Safety. Lehigh Valley Live reports that Callahan was arraigned on Feb. 8 on “charges of simple assault and two counts each of harassment and making terroristic threats.” He was released on bail.

The Weekly spoke with Director of Campus Safety Brian Fidati in regards to the incident. Fidati said that he could not provide any further information as per the department’s policy on commenting about ongoing investigations.

The incident was not shared with the larger campus community prior to the Lehigh Valley Live article. Fidati said that “the incident was discussed at an administrative level and it was determined that there was no outside threat to the community.”

Fidati could not comment about Callahan’s potential involvement in any other Campus Safety-related incidents due to FERPA, a federal law that protects a student’s right to privacy.

If students find themselves in a similar situation, Fidati urges communication with Campus Safety above all.

“Immediately report the incident to Campus Safety directly, if possible, or to any campus security authority,” said Fidati.

Campus safety authorities, or CSAs, include all employees of Muhlenberg College, with the exception of the clergy and counselors; examples of CSAs are RAs, professors, and other staff members. CSAs are required to report incidents or crimes to Campus Safety, similar to any mandatory reporter under Title IX. The College plans to issue more information on the role of CSAs within the next few weeks.

Finally, Fidati offered clarification as to the College’s weapons policy, specifically regarding knives. The policy has less to do with the size of the knife as opposed to the intent of the knife, though swords are prohibited. Callahan was reported as having a roughly five inch long knife.