Police: West Newton man said he would ‘shoot up’ dorms
WAYNESBURG – A West Newton man is accused of stalking a Waynesburg University student he was romantically involved with and threatening to “shoot up the dorms” if she did not speak with him.
Damiyan V. Davis, 20, met the female student through a dating app a few months ago, although he continued to message her after she ended the relationship a month ago and had asked him to stop contacting her, Waynesburg police said.
Police said he called the student shortly after midnight Friday and demanded to speak to her, but her roommate took the call and spoke to him instead. Police said that angered Davis, and he threatened the women and the school.
“You don’t know crazy,” Davis allegedly said, according to court documents. “I’ll get on (Interstate) 70 right now and drive to Waynesburg and shoot up the dorms. Test me.”
The woman contacted the university’s Department of Public Safety, which then contacted borough police about the incident. State police in Belle Vernon arrested Davis Friday morning at his West Newton home, and borough police brought him to Waynesburg for processing.
Waynesburg police Chief Rob Toth said Davis does not possess a weapon and never came to the school grounds.
“You have to take these threats seriously,” Toth said. “It’s not 20 years ago when you might let it go.”
Toth thanked the university for its help with the investigation.
Heidi Szuminsky, vice president for institutional advancement and university relations, said although the phone call came from outside the area, school officials notified authorities “out of an abundance of caution” once they learned of the threats to the student and school.
“We immediately involved the local authorities, and it was quickly handled by the police,” she said.
District Judge Jesse Cramer arraigned Davis on charges of terroristic threats, stalking, harassment and disorderly conduct. He was released on $5,000 unsecured bond with the stipulation he does not have any contact with the student or the school.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled before Cramer at 1:30 p.m. March 6.