Khalilah Ford

Finally, authorities have named the African American female student responsible for throwing the UW-Parkside campus into a panic.

It's Khalilah Ford, a 21-year-old junior.

The former student at UW-Parkside allegedly threatened to commit hate crimes on campus.

Here's the story from FOX6 News:

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department has released the name of the student who allegedly created a “hit list” (with her own name included) 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.

That wasn't too bright.

If Ford wanted to pull off her "hoax," she should have misspelled her name as well if she couldn't spell the names of the students she targeted. How does one misspell all those names on the hit list?

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 UW-Parkside Interim Dean of Students Cynthia Graham says Ford has withdrawn from school, and also says the school is re-evaluating how it handles racist incidents in the future.

It's good that Ford dropped out of Parkside. The university doesn't have to expel her, possibly making her appear to be a victim in some people's eyes.

Here's more on Khalilah Ford, from the Journal-Times:

Detectives are requesting that the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office file charges against Khalilah N. Ford, 21, of Louisville, after detectives said evidence implicated her amid an investigation into a series of reportedly racially motivated incidents on campus last week, which included two purported nooses and the alleged “hit list.” Ford’s name was released Monday afternoon as the person who created this list of targeted students.

The incidents coincided with the beginning of Black History Month.

If approved, Ford could be charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer, the sheriff’s department stated.

...If prosecutors agree to charge her, Ford would be sent a notice through the mail informing her to appear in court. No court date has been set.

Multiple messages were left Monday for several staff with the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office, but they weren’t available for comment.

Attempts to reach Banks on Monday also proved unsuccessful.

The university, at 900 Wood Road, hosted campus-wide meetings at the end of last week. Administrators and police also increased security patrols and opened a criminal investigation.

Parkside spokesman Dave Buchanan said while officials are expected to charge Ford, detectives still are investigating. Other charges could be filed later against subsequent suspects.

“But it’s not over with yet,” he said.

There is no question that Ford should be charged.

Her stunt went on for days. It wasn't a momentary lapse in judgment. She escalated the situation, knowing the fear she was inciting. Her behavior was inexcusable.

A 21-year-old woman doesn't stage hate crimes. She intentionally caused individuals to fear for their physical safety. She tortured them emotionally.

"[F]liers containing racial slurs were found listing several black students and Ford by name and stated they were going to die in two days."

That's not a harmless prank.

Ford should be held accountable. She's an adult. Actions have consequences. I hope. I hope there will be consequences for Ford in this case.

Here's video, from FOX6 News: