New York Times columnist ‘fuming’ after son allegedly stopped by Yale police at gunpoint
New York Times op-ed columnist Charles M. Blow says he’s “fuming” after his son was allegedly stopped by a Yale University police officer at gunpoint Saturday night because he apparently fit the description of a possible burglary suspect.
“So, my son, a 3rd year chem major at Yale was just accosted — at GUN POINT — by a Yale policeman bc he ‘fit the description’ of a suspect,’” Blow tweeted on Saturday. “He was let go when they realized he was a college student and not a criminal.”
Blow added: “He’s shaken, but I’m fuming!”
So, my son, a 3rd year chem major at Yale was just accosted - at GUN POINT - by a Yale policeman bc he "fit the description" of a suspect...
— Charles M. Blow (@CharlesMBlow) January 25, 2015
He was let go when they realized he was a college student and not a criminal ( he was leaving the library!) He's shaken, but I'm fuming!
— Charles M. Blow (@CharlesMBlow) January 25, 2015
The columnist and author, who has written extensively about racial issues, then referenced the Michael Brown and Eric Garner cases, tweeting the hashtags #ICantBreathe and #BlackLivesMatter.
#ICantBreathe #BlackLivesMatter
— Charles M. Blow (@CharlesMBlow) January 25, 2015
Blow’s son, Tahj, who is black, did not immediately return an email seeking comment.
This is exactly why I have NO PATIENCE for ppl trying to convince me that the fear these young blk men feel isn't real #RacialBattleFatigue
— Charles M. Blow (@CharlesMBlow) January 25, 2015
In a statement, Yale police said they responded Saturday to reports from several students of a possible burglar who “had just entered their rooms under false pretenses, pretending to be looking for someone.” The suspect was described as “a tall, African-American, college-aged student wearing a black jacket and a red and white hat.”
During a search, Yale police briefly detained a Yale student “who closely matched the description of the suspect.” The student, who was not named, was released.
The actual suspect was later located on an adjacent campus and arrested. He will be charged with felony burglaries.
An internal review of the incident will be conducted by the Yale Police Department chief’s office, the statement said.
According to the Yale Daily News, there has been a series of recent robberies reported by Yale undergraduates. In one, the suspect allegedly threatened the victims with a handgun, New Haven police said.