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Former UTEP guard allegedly threatens to blow up elementary school

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Chris Craig, courtesy Utah County Sheriff’s Office

Former UTEP guard Chris Craig was arrested on Monday after he allegedly threatened to bomb an elementary school in Utah.

Craig was involved in a three-hour standoff at Eagle Valley Elementary School, one that started with the former player entering the school with a mask on and, according to a text message sent to parents, saying “evacuate the kids and no one will get hurt.” He was booked on charges of interference with an arresting officer, failure to disclose identity, disruption of operation of a school and disorderly conduct, all misdemeanors. He was also charged with threat of terrorism, a second-degree felony.

Prior to entering the school, Craig sent a long and rambling email to the El-Paso Times threatening to set off explosives in the school. In the email, Craig -- who has long battled serious mental health issues -- referred to himself as “The Radical Islamic Jihadist Muhammad Allah Al-Khidr” and stated that the reason he was making these threats was so he could go to prison and start a hunger strike protesting racism.