Police Say MIT Gun Hoax Came Through Relay Service

Cambridge police say a hoax report of a gunman on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus last weekend came through a Sprint Internet relay service generally used by people with hearing or speech impairments.

Police spokesman Dan Riviello said Tuesday a Sprint employee called police to relay the message, and gave police the name of a possible suspect mentioned by the messenger. Police said they have questioned that person and don't believe he was involved.

Police said they will file charges if they locate the person who made the false report.

The FBI and U.S. Secret Service are helping in the investigation.

The message Saturday morning indicated a man dressed in body armor and carrying a rifle was in a main building on campus. The tip was determined to be a hoax about three hours later.