By SALINA POST
A Salina man was arrested Friday after allegedly harassing students at Kansas Wesleyan University (KWU) and making comments that raised concerns about campus safety, including the safety of the Night to Shine dance, which was subsequently canceled.
According to Salina Police Captain James Feldman, officers were dispatched to KWU, 100 E. Claflin, around 11 a.m. on Feb. 7, following reports of a man making students feel uncomfortable. KWU security officials identified the suspect as Jonathan Deacon, 35, of Salina.
"Campus security escorted him off the property. While doing so, Deacon allegedly made comments about the security of the school," Feldman said.
A 22-year-old student later reported that Deacon had yelled at him not to attend campus that evening for the dance and stated that he would be back. The student's concerns prompted further investigation and cancellation of the event, according to a email message sent by KWU to the campus community.
The email stated, “Local law enforcement is aware of the situation and will be attempting to arrest this individual in the coming hours. With the cancellation, there is no reason to suspect danger to campus, but out of (once again) caution, we will have additional security present and regularly patrolling this evening.”
While officers investigated the KWU incident, SPD was called to the VFW, 1108 W. Crawford, regarding a man acting strange. Officers arrived and identified the man as Deacon. SPD officers arrested him at noon and took him into custody with the requested charge of criminal threat.
According to Feldman, Deacon is not a student at KWU.
KWU Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Brad Salois said the incident was related to an “outside event on campus.”
Salois did not offer additional comments. Salina Post obtained the KWU email, signed by Salois, from an event volunteer.
According to the Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine Website, “ A Night to Shine is a complimentary event for people with special needs hosted by local churches around the world. The event is open to anyone living with disabilities, ages 14 and older.
Each event is unique to its location, but some cornerstone activities included across all of them are a red carpet entrance complete with a warm welcome from a friendly crowd and paparazzi, hair and makeup stations, shoeshines, limousine rides, karaoke, gifts, a catered dinner, a Sensory Room, a Respite Room for parents and caregivers, dancing, and a crowning ceremony where every guest is honored as a King or a Queen - the way God sees them each and every day.”
Salina Post will update this story as new information becomes available. If you know of additional information regarding this incident please contact Salina Post at [email protected]