Ohio University has taken measures to safeguard its community by banning a man identified as Michael Rinthalukay, also known by the alias “Mike Rinks,” after he was linked to threatening online posts. Rinthalukay, a 27-year-old from Pickerington, is now prohibited from accessing the Athens campus and all regional campuses associated with the university. This development followed reports by Ohio University Police via ABC6 News about various social media posts attributed to him.

Athens City Police Department confirmed that the suspect is currently in custody. However, for legal reasons, he divulged no information on his location. In a related event, as per FOX28 Columbus, during a wellness check, authorities detained Rinthalukay after discovering him in possession of an AR-15 and roughly 200 rounds of ammunition, items that are now in the custody of the Athens Police Department.

Despite the circumstances leading to the ban, the Ohio University Police Department does not believe there is an ongoing threat to the university’s community. However, they urge anyone who spots Rinthalukay on any campus to contact 911 immediately. According to the press release by OUPD via THE POST, public records from the Athens Municipal Court indicated that a warrant for Rinthalukay's arrest was issued in January for having weapons under disability, an act considered a third-degree felony in Ohio Laws.

Before the recent incidents, Rinthalukay faced arrest in 2022 in Shelby County, Indiana, and was charged with multiple offenses, including resisting law enforcement, aggressive driving, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, and criminal recklessness. Following the seizure of the weapon and the subsequent investigation, Rinthalukay was taken into custody by the Athens Police Department on September 3, with charges filed against him. He remains in custody as of Friday afternoon as authorities continue to unravel the motives and implications of his earlier social media activities.