March 03, 2006

Terrorism at University of North Carolina?

Okay, maybe the headline is a little alarminst. Hey, I just write the stories, not the headlines! Blame my editor. But as Confederate Yankee reminds us, the Daily Tarheel was part of the Muhammed cartoon row. And the guy's name, you know, is Mohammed. The Daily Tarheel:

A University graduate careened his silver Jeep Grand Cherokee through the Pit on Friday about noon, striking nine pedestrians and sending six to UNC Hospitals.

Mohammed Reza Taheriazar, 23, who graduated in 2005, is in custody at the Department of Public Safety after turning himself in after the incident. He was born May 5, 1983, according to University registrar records. He was a psychology and philosophy major. He was published in The Charlotte Observer for dean's list honors in spring 2005.

At about 2 p.m. a bomb threat was called into the University Commons apartments, at 303 Smith Level Road. State Bureau of Investigations officials entered the building at 3:03 p.m.

Capt. Joel Booker, of the Carrboro Police Department, said they are not sure how the threat is related to the campus incident.

Chapel Hill police spokeswoman Jane Cousins said a Mohammed Reza Taheri-Azar has a prior arrest. He was arrested June 16, 2003 on one count of resisting arrest and reckless driving.

Six victims were transported to UNC Hospitals, including a 20-year-old female suffering from a head injury and a 42-year-old male suffering from road rash. Five of the victims were students.

Stephanie Crayton, hospitals spokeswoman, said she does not anticipate that any of the victims will be admitted.

Sophomores Tiffany McDole and Jeff Hoffman were among those hit.

"I see everyone kind of part because there's a car coming through … and the next thing I know, I'm on his windshield," Hoffman said afterward. His arm was bandaged but he mostly was OK.

According to reports on the scene, the vehicle entered the Pit through the walkway between Greenlaw Hall and Lenoir Dining Hall, going through the Pit and exiting between Lenoir and Davis Library. Skid marks were visible around the corner of Lenoir and Greenlaw.

"He hit one person, I remember, he just hit him and the guy just flew," said junior Michael Highland, who was at the scene. "A few others got hit partially. I and some other people ran after it to get a license plate. But he was too far away. We ran after him to see where he went."....

Capt. George Hare, of DPS, said at a University press conference that it was an ongoing investigation.

"It's in its early stages," he said.

Hare said police will charge Taheriazar with "at least" multiple felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. The car is the weapon in the assault.

"This assault … is not a traffic accident. It's an assault."

Hat tip: Tim at Opinion Bug for the e-mail.

UPDATE: Looks like Malkin is on it now, too. Check her for updates. Ah, and via Michelle I learn I'm not the only one with a raised eyebrow.