Two Men Arrested After Dangerous ‘Prank’ at University of Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. — In a shocking and alarming incident that took place on a sunny afternoon at the University of Kentucky, two men were arrested after allegedly threatening a college student with a loaded gun as part of a poorly conceived prank intended for YouTube. This unsettling event has raised serious concerns about safety and the extent to which some individuals will go to gain social media fame.

According to authorities, the trouble began when Corey Reyez, 22, approached a student on campus and claimed he was conducting a prank for his YouTube channel. Sounds innocent enough, right? But things took a twisted turn when Jahiem Mullins, 23, lurked behind the unsuspecting student and threatened them with a firearm, warning, “Don’t make me use it.”

Can you imagine being approached in what you think is a light-hearted moment only to find yourself staring down the barrel of a gun? That’s what happened here, and it’s downright terrifying. To make matters worse, police later revealed that the gun was fully loaded, with a round ready in the chamber. This wasn’t just some harmless joke; it was a dangerous situation that could have spiraled out of control in mere seconds.

University of Kentucky Police Chief Monroe expressed deep concern about the incident, noting, “The university does not see a lot of these types of crimes take place on our campus. We have to protect our students, staff, faculty, and visitors. Even as a prank, that still puts a lot of people in danger.” His words echo the thoughts of many who are baffled by the lengths some will go to for the sake of entertainment.

Emmanuel Buckley, a senior at the university, also shared his disbelief, saying, “You could do pranks, but pulling out a gun and acting like you’re robbing someone? That shouldn’t be allowed.” You can feel the tension in Buckley’s voice, and it’s clear that many students are shaken by the recklessness displayed by Reyez and Mullins.

Following the overpowering threat, both Reyez and Mullins were swiftly arrested by law enforcement. As if the situation wasn’t serious enough, Reyez is facing an additional charge of conspiracy to commit robbery because of his social media claims regarding the prank. It’s a classic case of digital recklessness meeting real-world consequences.

As disturbing as this incident is, it does make you stop and ponder the culture that elevates outrageous stunts for online views. It seems that the obsession with social media engagement can sometimes lead to completely irrational behavior and puts innocent people in harm’s way. The apparent idea that anything is fair game as long as it gets clicks is a mentality that’s not only concerning but dangerous.

Many students and faculty members have voiced their relief that no one was injured in this reckless act. Social media has grown into a powerful tool, and while it can be used for good, in the wrong hands, it can lead to truly unacceptable situations, as seen here. There are so many ways to entertain and engage an audience; this simply does not have to be one of them.

The campus community is now left to grapple with the fallout of this incident. Students are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior to the police. It’s sad that incidents like this occur, but it serves as a wake-up call for all of us about the fragility of safety in our everyday lives.

The actions taken by Reyez and Mullins, while framed as a prank, highlight a grim and troubling reality. As society continues to navigate the digital age, safety should always come before fleeting fame or a silly joke. As students continue their academic pursuits, hopefully, experiences such as this encourage more thoughtful behavior about what it really means to share and create online.

In conclusion, while it’s crucial to embrace creativity and fun, the line must be drawn when it comes to personal safety. Victims should not have to endure the traumatic fallout from someone else’s misguided need for attention. Here’s hoping the message gets through—pranks should be harmless, not hazardous.