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Ex-Michigan Tech Student Accused Of Threatening Black Classmates Sues School

HOUGHTON, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - A former Michigan Technological University student who was accused last year of threatening on social media to shoot black students is suing the school.

Matthew Schultz was a junior at the Upper Peninsula school when he was accused of making the threatening comments on a social media site called Yik Yak, an anonymous message board where users can post comments to a specific community. Police say the threats were directed at members of Michigan Tech's black community.

The federal lawsuit says Schultz wanted to note "the ridiculous nature" of threats at another school, so he posted "Gonna shoot all black people .... A smile tomorrow," with a smiling emoji. According to the lawsuit, Schultz meant he was going to smile at black people.

A disturbing the peace charge was eventually dismissed.

The school says Thursday it plans to vigorously defend itself in the lawsuit and is working to keep campus safe.

TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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