A Durham man accused of threatening former colleagues at Duke University was brought into a Durham County courtroom Monday and is now locked up without bond. Investigators say Nathaniel Jerrell was arrested over the weekend after a series of online posts that prosecutors describe as threats aimed at former co-workers and workplaces tied to the university. He is charged with a felony count of communicating a threat of mass violence on educational property and remains in custody while the case moves forward.
According to WRAL, investigators tracked several social-media posts back to Jerrell. The station reports the messages date to November 2025 and that Jerrell had previously worked at Duke from April through August 2025 as an appointment coordinator. Police say those posts included threats targeting former colleagues and specific workplace locations.
Durham County jail records show Jerrell was booked on April 19. The online log from the Durham County Sheriff’s Office lists the charge as “COMM THREAT MASS VIOL EDU PROP” with no bond allowed. The record also cites case number 25CR462404 and confirms he is still being held.
University and investigators respond
In a statement to WRAL, Duke Health said it is working with law enforcement and stressed that “the safety and well-being of our patients, team members, and visitors is our top priority.” The arrest warrant described in the station’s report alleges that Jerrell threatened “assassination, bringing a gun or planting a bomb” in multiple online posts directed at former co-workers and workplace sites.
What the law says
North Carolina law makes it a crime to communicate a threat of mass violence on educational property. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. 214-277.6, that offense is classified as a Class H felony. Prosecutors will review the evidence and determine whether to pursue any additional counts, with that statute serving as the legal foundation for the current charge. More details are available on the statute page from the N.C. General Assembly…