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Ex-Michigan Tech student accused of threat sues school

A former Michigan Technological University student who was accused last year of threatening on social media to shoot black students is suing the school.

MLive.com and the Detroit Free Press report Matthew Schultz was a junior at the Upper Peninsula school when he posted using the app Yik Yak what school officials thought was a threat.

The federal lawsuit says Schultz wanted to note "the ridiculous nature" of threats at another school, so he posted "Gonna shoot all black people .... A smile tomorrow," with a smiling emoji.

According to the lawsuit, Schultz meant he was going to smile at black people. A disturbing the peace charge was eventually dismissed.

The school says Thursday it plans to vigorously defend itself in the lawsuit and is working to keep campus safe.