Arkansas active-shooter suspect charged

JONESBORO, Ark. -- Scott Ellington, prosecuting attorney for the Second Judicial District of Arkansas, announced Thursday his office is filing charges in the Arkansas State University active shooter case that gained national attention and shut down the campus during finals week.

"I have authorized my deputies to file felony charges against Brad Bartelt, 47, of Jonesboro for his actions," Ellington said.

"Bartelt is being charged with the following felony charges: making a terrorist threat, criminal possession of explosive material or destructive sevice and terroristic threatening."

Bartelt was arrested Dec. 10 after a standoff with law-enforcement officers from several agencies who responded to the active-shooter alert sent out by Arkansas State University.

"I appreciate the immediate response by the Arkansas State University Campus Police, the Jonesboro Police Department and the other state and local agencies who responded to this very serious incident," Ellington said. "Their prompt action in this matter saved those on the campus possible death or serious injury."

Making a terrorist threat is a Class A felony with a sentence range of six to 30 years; criminal possession of explosive material or destructive device is a Class B felony with a sentence range of five to 20 years; and terroristic threatening is a Class D felony with a sentence range of zero to six years.