MSU announces arrest in campus arson

Contact: Maridith Geuder

STARKVILLE, Miss.--The Mississippi State University Police Department is announcing an arrest in the case of a late-night arson last week on the university campus.

Thirty-six-year-old Bradley Tahtinen of Lee County was apprehended Monday [Oct. 16] by MSU chief police investigator Don Bartlett, assisted by officers of the Lee County Sheriff's Office. He was returned to Oktibbeha County early Tuesday on charges of felony malicious mischief, arson and burglary.

A 10 p.m. Wednesday [the 11th] fire has caused the 40-year-old building to remain closed. While flame damage was limited to the basement of the four-story structure at the intersection of Creelman Street and Stone Boulevard, heavy smoke permeated throughout the red-brick structure that houses classrooms, offices and laboratories.

University police had released a detailed description of the suspect, who was on campus to attend an outdoor concert at the nearby MSU Amphitheater. Prior to the fire, he had been ejected from the concert for disruptive behavior, officials added.

Tahtinen has no connection to MSU, either as a former student or employee.

Dorman Hall is expected to remain closed for about two more weeks. Information about its reopening will be posted on the university's Website, www.msstate.edu.

For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.