Weber State University responds to criminal justice professor sharing violence and threats on Twitter

UPDATE: Scott Senjo has resigned.

OGDEN, Utah (ABC4 News) – Officials at Weber State University responded after a controversial tweet by one of their employees.

This comes after a recent thread on Twitter started by a Wall Street Journal reporter who said: “I lost my glasses and my ankle is in searing pain after NYPD hit me in the face multiple times with riot shields and pushed me to the ground. I was backing away as a request, with my hands up. My NYPD-issued press badge was clearly visible. I’m just sitting here crying. This sucks.”

The alleged Weber State University criminal justice professor replied to the thread stating: “Excellent. If I was the cop, you wouldn’t be able to tweet.”

Excellent. If I was the cop, you wouldn’t be able to tweet.
— Scott Senjo (@ProfSenjo) June 1, 2020

Several Twitter users began tweeting they were reporting the account.

@WeberStateU these are extremely unsettling words coming from a professor that represents your school, ESPECIALLY in the criminal justice field. are you really a university that wants to back the words of an educator that promotes violence & blantant hate? please make this right.
— baby spice ♡ (@bpaynetweets) June 1, 2020

@WeberStateU how could you expect your students to feel safe on campus with a professor like this who has posted multiple tweets inciting violence and unarmed media and protestors?
— Saad B. Sweilem (@SaadSweilem) June 1, 2020

Other tweets found by the supposed professor state: “The America-haters like Omar are very happy. Good thing I’m not in charge. She would be back in Somalia.”

The America-haters like Omar are very happy. Good thing I’m not in charge. She would be back in Somalia.
— Scott Senjo (@ProfSenjo) May 30, 2020

The alleged WSU professor also tweeted: “Come by my neighborhood. I won’t just display firearms, I’ll show you how they work.” Amongst other controversial tweets.

That’s not how I would have driven the car into the crowd.
— Scott Senjo (@ProfSenjo) May 31, 2020

Monday afternoon the university responded saying in part, “Weber State University does not condone violence or threats of violence under any circumstance. The comments made by our faculty member are hurtful and inconsistent with the values of Weber State University and our work to create an inclusive and welcoming environment. “

See the full statement below:

“We are aware of Twitter comments posted by a member of our faculty.
Weber State University does not condone violence or threats of violence under any circumstance. The comments made by our faculty member are hurtful and inconsistent with the values of Weber State University and our work to create an inclusive and welcoming environment.
We join with our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends who found these comments to be abhorrent.
We know these views make many of our students and members of our campus community feel isolated or unsupported. We will reach out to students, faculty, staff and others to provide resources. Students or community members who need support may contact WSU’s Assistant Vice President for Diversity, Adrienne Andrews 801-626-7243 or adrienneandrews@weber.edu.
The university honors the First Amendment Rights of free speech, free press and peaceable assembly. We strongly urge all members of the campus community to proclaim and practice those rights to help restore calm and allow all voices to be safely heard during this time of national discord.
Weber State is taking the matter very seriously and will investigate to determine what other measures may be appropriate to ensure the safety and well-being of all members of our campus community. This matter in its complete context will be reviewed further by the university to make sure all perspectives are equally and fairly represented.”

According to the Weber State University website, Scott Senjo is a Criminal Justice professor in Lindquist Hall.

His bio on the school’s website states Senjo’s areas of interest include “sociological jurisprudence” which examines effects of the law within society .