Death Threats on MySpace Lead to Mental Evaluation for Oregon Student

Clackamas County Sheriff's respond to threatening information by taking subject into custody on a 'police officer hold' for a mental evaluation.

Images of Ben Caldwell: Clackamas Sheriff

(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) - A student at Clackamas Community College in Oregon City is undergoing a mental evaluation after police say he left threatening messages on his MySpace page.

College officials notified the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office that the student had been posting what are described as threatening and disturbing comments on his site.

Among the comments were these statements:

"ave maria ... this is the song that would be my soundtrack for a killing spree it just inspiers creativity."

"i dont want to think that the world is worth saving. i want to destroy it i want to take my hate for this for this world out of everybody.... I am a morbid f*ck who likes to watch things die."

"It's getting harder to not just start breaking things. It's getting harder to not just start shooting."

Responding to this alarming information, Clackamas County Sheriff's detectives say their investigation led them to consult with Clackamas County Mental Health authorities and a local Portland Mental Health facility.

As a result of this investigation and threat assessment, it was determined by all parties involved that authorities should make contact with this "subject of concern" and take him into custody without delay for a thorough mental-health evaluation.

Clackamas Sheriff's Office Spokesman Jim Strovink says this morning at 11:30 AM, 23-year old Benjamin Thomas Caldwell met peacefully with Clackamas County Sheriff's Office personnel in Clackamas. Strovink says he was discovered to be unarmed and cooperative with authorities.

"Caldwell was taken into custody by deputies peacefully, held on a Police Officer Hold, and transported to a local Portland hospital for a mental-health evaluation."

Ben Caldwell lives in Eagle Creek, Oregon. Caldwell has a prior Clackamas County arrest in 2007 for Driving Under the Influence, and has additional recorded traffic violations.

Strovink says Caldwell applied for and was issued a Concealed Handgun License in Clackamas County in July 2006.

"With respect to the current information received and the Police Officer Hold, that Concealed Handgun License has been revoked as of today's date."

"The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office wishes to recognize the swift, responsible reporting of this troubling information by Clackamas Community College officials. Their conscientious reporting may have thwarted an unfortunate future action," Strovink said.