Police and the Dunedin-based university have so far refused to comment, but have said they will release a press statement shortly. Photo / iStock
Police and Otago University are understood to be responding to a potential shooting threat posted in an online forum.
An anonymous user yesterday posted a picture of a handgun and the threat about a massacre on the bulletin board 4chan. It was then reposted to Reddit and Facebook.
At least some students at the university were aware of the threat. It had been sent to several media outlets.
Acting Area Commander for Otago Mel Aitken said the threat was being taken seriously although its authenticity was still being assessed.
"Police would like to reassure University staff and students, and the wider Dunedin community, that appropriate measures are being taken in relation to the post," Inspector Aitken said.
Specialist staff were actively investigating the post with assistance from the High Tech Crime Group in Wellington. Police were also working closely with the Vice-Chancellor and the University.
"Our advice at this time is to be alert and vigilant but not alarmed while our investigation is ongoing.
Mrs Aitken said police would be maintaining a "high visibility presence" in the area and taking other appropriate steps which they "were unable to discuss publicly."
"We are also asking those in the University area to report any suspicious behaviour immediately to police. We understand that a threat of this nature could be concerning to some people."
Otago University Senior Communications Adviser Jo Galer refused to say anything about the incident. She said it would be dealt with by police.
The threat mimicked the one made by alleged Oregon shooter and was published in the same ROBOT 9001 thread on 4chan. ROBOT 9001 - /r9k/ for short - is a social media thread for so-called Men's Rights Activists (MRAs).
Today's threat is not the first to be made on the site about a New Zealand mass shooting.
Another man who made a threat to enact a copycat mass shooting in New Zealand was tracked down by police over the weekend.
On Friday, the man made a comment on the same online forum as today's threat, but just hours after the shooting at Umpqua Community College.
Police tracked down the man over the weekend.
"We have spoken to the individual concerned and are satisfied there is no threat but have warned them to desist from making posts of this nature in future," said a police spokeswoman.
"Police take threats like this seriously which can lead to potentially serious criminal charges."
Friday's post warned of a New Zealand "beta uprising", which was the same reference made in a 4chan post linked to the Oregon shooting.
"Beta" is a slang term for school students who are not considered among their peers to be socially elite or "alpha" students.
4chan is a chat website commonly used by hackers and pranksters and has been linked to previous mass shootings, is believed to be the birthplace of the hacking group Anonymous.
A Southern Police spokesman said police were aware of the posts, but it was too early to comment on the origin or legitimacy of the threat.
''Police take all threats of violence seriously. We are still looking into it," he said.
A detective in an unmarked police car was seen outside the campus earlier today.
The anonymous poster claimed they had taken inspiration from Seung-Hui Cho, who killed 32 students and teachers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in the United States in 2007.
''If you're in Dunedin, I wouldn't recommend coming to Otago University on Wednesday,'' the post, which has now been deleted said.
''Notes have been taken from tactics used in other massacres and shootings, I know what works and what doesn't. The necessary preparations have been made for you to expect a shooting of a similar (possibly even greater) caliber to that of Seung-Hui Cho, who is one of my many idols.
'' . . . this thread is likely to be lost in an ocean of troll threats, which is probably for the best. Just try to remember my post number so you can find it in the archive when the happening hits. See you in hell you magnificent bastards.''
The post was accompanied by an image of a cocked American-made handgun which appeared to have been taken by the poster.
Police, University of Otago and Campus Watch staff will be available to speak with anyone who has concerns.
They were mindful of the possibility of "copy cat" threats following high profile events which occur overseas.
"We will deal firmly with any individuals associated with any such copy cat threats," Mrs Aitken said
Derive McNeill has since thanked the man for working in the mental health sector.