Temple teaching assistant charged for a threat

A Temple University teaching assistant has been charged with making a threat that caused classes at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine to be canceled for an entire day. 

Temple shared the news of the closure in a tweet Friday, which read, “TU Alert: Due to a potential threat, the LK School of Medicine is closed, and classes are canceled today, October 25, 2019. Clinical activities at Temple Hospital will continue as scheduled. All essential employees should check with their Supervisors and plan to report to work.” 

Inquirier.com reports that the teaching assistant, identified as 24-year-old Bernadette Boffice, has been arrested. 

Last Thursday night, Boffice allegedly made an unspecified threat on social media. In a statement, university spokesman Ray Betzner said, “On Thursday evening, we received what we believe to be a threatening social media post from a person who is affiliated with the medical school.” 

Betzner added that “the individual was located and apprehended.”

Temple also shared the update about the incident via social media stating that “TU Alert (1/2): The individual responsible for the threat directed at the LK School of Medicine is in custody. There is no longer a threat against the school. The School of Medicine will remain closed and classes canceled for the day, October 25, 2019.” 

It was reported that Boffice, who is a Center City resident, was charged with making terrorist threats and a misdemeanor. She was released without bail on Saturday, and her next court date is set for Nov. 26. 

Boffice was reportedly previously arrested on charges of harassment and stalking. She was released, and the court date for that case was set for Nov. 22. It’s unclear if these two cases are connected.