BATON ROUGE, La. — A student from Louisiana State University has been taken into custody following allegations that he issued an online threat against Governor Jeff Landry. This incident arose in connection with Landry’s controversial support for the reintroduction of a live Bengal tiger at a recent college football event.

Landry, a member of the Republican Party, played a pivotal role in reinstating the long-standing tradition of showcasing a caged tiger at the stadium prior to kickoff for the first time in nearly ten years. This move was met with protests from animal rights advocates who gathered outside the venue.

According to an arrest affidavit, 21-year-old Jackson Pemberton reportedly told state police during an interrogation on Tuesday that his social media post, which read, “I am going to kill you @jefflandry,” was intended as a joke, tagging the governor’s profile on X.

The affidavit further states that Pemberton expressed his frustration with the governor’s decision to bring the live tiger onto the LSU football field during the recent game. The student, who resides in Baton Rouge, has been charged with threatening a public official. Reports indicate that jail records do not clarify whether he has secured legal representation or if a bond has been established.

In response to the situation, an LSU spokesperson confirmed that the university is aware of the student’s arrest. The statement emphasized the institution’s commitment to ensuring safety within the community. “We take any behavior that threatens the safety of individuals or our community very seriously,” the university’s statement indicated. “LSU is committed to a respectful, responsible, and safe environment for all.”