UW-Parkside student withdraws after racist threat hoax

KENOSHA - The Kenosha County Sheriff's Department has released the name of the student who allegedly created a "hit list" targeting African-American students.

Officials say 21-year-old UW-Parkside junior Khalilah Ford, of Louisville, Kentucky, confessed to creating the hit list found on campus last week. The hit list was found after two nooses were found, made from rubber bands.

The incidents created fear on campus, and led to a meeting of the student body, before it became clear the situation was a "hoax."

Officials say Ford sent a fake threat to the student who discovered a noose made of rubber bands in the Pike River Suites dorm. Then, detective say Ford put her own name, along with the names of other African-American students on the hit list, discovered in the dorm Thursday night.

Ford allegedly told officials she created the hit list because she didn't feel the noose incidents were being taken seriously enough. Ford did not admit to creating the nooses - just the hit list and a threatening note.

Officials say charges of disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer are being requested, and if the Kenosha County District Attorney's office agrees with the sheriff's department's assessment of the case, Ford will be mailed a notice to appear in court.

Kenosha County Sheriff. Bill Beth says Ford's name was the only name to appear spelled correctly on the hit list, and that was a big clue for detectives.

Ford is on "emergency suspension" and not on campus. UW-Parkside Interim Dean of Students Cynthia Graham says Ford has withdrawn from school, and also says the school is re-evaluating how it handles racist incidents in the future.

Detectives continue to investigate whether there are other people involved in the racial threats. Officials say they continue to investigate the first noose incident, and say they're confident Ford had nothing to do with it. Police say no one is in custody at this time.

"Once we have a chance to put everything together and discuss this case with the District Attorney's office we will file charges. Too many people were frightened and upset to let this case go without charges being filed," Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth said.