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By RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY

PDT Staff Writer

A student at Shawnee State University was forcibly removed from class and arrested by Portsmouth Police Department after becoming disruptive Friday morning.

According to Elizabeth Blevins, executive director of communications at Shawnee State University, a student was attending a lecture on campus Friday in the Clark Memorial Library when he suddenly became disruptive.

“At 9:22 this morning (Friday) our public safety department responded to a report of an alleged assault by a student in a classroom. There was no weapon involved. The department responded and the Portsmouth Police Department responded and the student is in custody at this point by the Portsmouth Police Department,” Blevins said.

Portsmouth police have identified the student as Malcolm Morton, 20, of Portsmouth. He was charged with assault, and the police department confirms no weapon was mentioned in the report. No information was available about possible academic or disciplinary actions that Morton might face at Shawnee State University.

“Typically, in accordance with our judicial process, anyone who presents as a potential threat is immediately removed from campus while an investigation is conducted. The judicial process regarding violations of the student conduct code are led by the dean of students and the vice president for Student Affairs,” Blevins said.

Blevins said the university immediately sent out a statement to students Friday morning, as is part of their public safety policy. The incident remains under investigation, and Blevins said there is no ongoing threat to campus or students.

Ryan Scott Ottney can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 235, or rottney@heartlandpublications.com.