CLAY COUNTY, Mo. —A former William Jewell College student in jail accused of making threats to students and staff at the college.
Just before 10 p.m. Sunday, Liberty Communications Officers received a call from a person stating they were on the William Jewell College campus and were planning to “start shooting” at a specific building, according to a media release from Clay County Sheriff's Office.
On-duty officers quickly responded to the campus and determined the caller was not on or near campus at that time. Jewell College leadership was notified of the threats so they could take appropriate measures. Extra police and security presence were in place on Jewell’s campus from that point on.
Assistance was requested from local, state and federal partners to locate the suspect identified as a former student Jacob Raczkowski.
On June 22 at 11:10 a.m., the investigation indicated Raczkowski was observed at a business just outside of Liberty near 291 Hwy and I-35. An attempt to stop his vehicle was made by the Clay County Sheriff’s Department; however, the pursuit was discontinued due to the extremely dangerous driving by the suspect.
William Jewell College in consultation with Liberty Police announced a campus closure at approximately 7 p.m. on June 22, 2025.
On June 23, the Missouri Highway Patrol notified the sheriff's office of a pursuit and eventual arrest of Jacob Raczkowski near Sedalia.
On Tuesday, the Clay County Prosecutor's Office charged Raczkowski with Terrorist Threat 1st Degree. A judge issued a warrant for Raczkowski and set a $100,000 bond. Raczkowski remains in custody in another county on unrelated charges. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.