The student body president at University of Missouri has apologized for spreading false rumors about a “confirmed” instance of Ku Klux Klan members on campus.

Payton Head, who is black, warned students on Facebook Tuesday to “stay away from windows in residence halls,” because the “KKK has been confirmed to be sighted on campus.” He also purported to be “working with” the University of Missouri Police Department (MUPD), the state police and National Guard over the alleged threat.

Mr. Head eventually deleted the post, and @MUAlert, the university’s emergency update system, tweeted the following: “There is no immediate threat to campus. Please do not spread rumors and follow @MUAlert at https://mualert.missouri.edu for updates.”

Mr. Head took to his Facebook page Wednesday to apologize for spreading the rumor.

“I’m sorry about the misinformation that I have shared through social media,” he wrote. “In a state of alarm, I was concerned for all students of the University of Missouri and wanted to ensure that everyone was safe. I received and shared information from multiple incorrect sources, which I deeply regret. The last thing needed is to incite more fear in the hearts of our community.”

Mr. Head faced numerous calls for resignation over the incident, prompting him to post the following on Facebook Wednesday:

“For STUDENTS who have issues with my leadership, once again you may find impeachment proceedings at https://msa.missouri.edu/resources/. You have the right to have your voice heard, and the right to have a leader in place in which you trust.”

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