DOWAGIAC — A Southwestern Michigan College student was arrested after posting threats and images of a firearm onto a social media account at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Dowagiac Police Department.

“An individual posted something on their personal Snapchat, making a threat quoted as ‘shooting up the school,’” said Director of Public Safety Steve Grinnewald.

SMC’s campus security was alerted to the threat by a residential assistant, who saw the student’s post, officials said.

The Dowagiac Police Department was immediately notified after campus police searched the student’s dorm room and found no weapons. Grinnewald said the student’s on-campus vehicle was also searched, and no weapons were located.

“If someone puts a threat out there, that threat is being taken seriously,” Grinnewald said. “We will react accordingly.”

Following the searches, police officials found the student had no access to weapons. Police also did not find any evidence of planning for an attack.

In an email sent to faculty and students from Brent Brewer, SMC’s chief of staff and vice president of campus security, he said SMC takes the safety and well-being of the community seriously.

“Students are encouraged to report any security concerns,” the email stated. “In this case, a student did ‘see something and say something’ and security protocols worked as intended.”

In Brewer’s message, he reminded employees and students that social media posts are public.

“Out of an abundance of caution,” he said, “the authorities will respond quickly to any implied threats. Please consider carefully the messages you create and post.”

Grinnewald confirmed the investigation of the student is still pending.