UM AD Manuel concerned for ex-player after tweet threats
Ann Arbor — Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel expressed concern for the well-being of a former Michigan football player who is the subject of an investigation by the University of Michigan Police Department after he posted a series of menacing tweets that mentioned guns and violent behavior and a potential threat against Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.
The UM Police department is investigating a Twitter account belonging to former Michigan linebacker Elysee Mbem-Bosse.
Melissa Overton, UM Deputy Police Chief, confirmed to The Detroit News on Tuesday that the department is looking into the threats. She would not identify the Twitter user because that had not yet been independently verified.
“Won’t comment on any of the pending investigation” Manuel said Wednesday after a news conference for a soccer event that will be held at Michigan Stadium. “Always concerned with anything that pops up about a threat and also concerned about him and where he is as a student.
“We care about all the student-athletes we have whether they’re on the team currently or not and so concerned on both ends.”
Manuel said Harbaugh knew of the potential threats toward him.
“Not sure how exactly he became aware, but he is obviously aware,” Manuel said.
More:Police investigating tweets as potential threat against Jim Harbaugh
Mbem-Bosse is still enrolled at Michigan, according to Manuel. A statement from Michigan late Tuesday, confirmed Mbem-Bosse is no longer on the team.
“Elysee (Mbem-Bosse) left the football program in mid-November and is no longer with the team,” according to a UM athletic department release. Manuel confirmed the university has reached out to Mbem-Bosse.
Manuel would not get into specific details about the investigation saying he does not have all of them to share.
“Everybody who needs to be working on it, is,” Manuel said. “We’re working on it. Everybody in the university that needs to be around this to try to resolve this is. We’ll continue to do that.
Michigan officials have had heightened awareness of Mbem-Bosse’s twitter threats since he began tweeting in earnest over the weekend and are working with the UM Police Department. The university and athletic department do provide medical, academic and counseling support to all student-athletes.
Concern was raised as early as last Saturday when Mbem-Bosse’s Twitter feed was flooded with unsettling commentary. That continued into Sunday and Monday evening when he also tweeted at reporters who were at Schembechler Hall interview two assistant coaches.
Mbem-Bosse expressed outrage toward Harbaugh saying he was having an unspecified family crisis and “was suspended for going to take care of my family.” One of the tweets linked to Harbaugh’s twitter, @CoachJim4UM.
Among the tweets were these:
“Michigan is open carry. Let’s not forget.”
“Let’s not have a murder case on your hands.”
“It’s time to say sorry, don’t you think.”
“If anybody wants to make an arrest on me. No need to pull up I’ll come to you in cuffs myself. I wish somebody would put me in front of a judge.”
“Within hours of my family crisis. (Expletive) GN. It’s on tomorrow.”
Mbem-Bosse sent tweets to a Detroit News reporter Monday night after posting comments from defensive coach Al Washington. He asked several times, “What he say about me” and suggested the coach “stop lying.” He requested information on the next media availability, suggesting it’s an open-to-the-public event.
The News did send screenshots of several tweets to the Ann Arbor Police Department Monday night.
Mbem-Bosse’s altered his Twitter account late Monday. The account is now protected and only confirmed followers have access to his twitter feed and complete profile.
achengelis@detroitnews.com
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