Black student called Mississippi State for scholarship. Then aid office goes on danger alert as he’s treated like a bomb threat suspect
He wasn't prepared for this
Calling financial aid about a scholarship should be a normal part of college life. However, one Mississippi State University student says his call ended with six campus police officers surrounding him.
Zayden Leonard went to the office hoping to clear up a confusing phone conversation. Instead, the 21-year-old was reportedly told to put down his phone, stand up, and place his hands behind his back.
According to Atlanta Black Star, an employee had accused Leonard of threatening to blow up the office. His attorney, Harry Daniels, says Leonard never made such a threat. What began as a funding problem had suddenly turned into something far more serious.
This went much further than expected
The incident began on Aug. 26, when Leonard contacted Mississippi State’s financial aid office about an academic scholarship. He needed the money to help fund his fall semester but believed the employee assisting him was giving him incorrect information.
Daniels explained that Leonard asked to speak with someone else. He also told the employee that he was heading to the office so he could sort out the issue face-to-face. Once there, Leonard spoke with another person. Daniels described that interaction as unremarkable, with nothing unusual happening between them. Leonard then sat down and waited for further assistance.
That calm didn’t last long. At least six campus police officers reportedly entered the office and approached Leonard. They instructed him to put down his phone and get up before handcuffing him.
Leonard was detained for less than an hour. During the encounter, officers told him that someone in the financial aid office had contacted them. The employee allegedly accused Leonard of making a bomb threat, claiming he had said he would blow up the office.
Leonard strongly denies making the threat. Daniels described his client as “shell-shocked” by what happened. Being accused of something he says he did not do left Leonard facing consequences far beyond the scholarship issue he had come to resolve.
The attorney described Leonard as a student with no history of legal trouble. He graduated as an honors student from Shades Valley High School in Irondale, Alabama, before attending Mississippi State. He now majors in biology and participates in 10 campus organizations.
One of those activities is a four-day camp that welcomes incoming freshmen. Daniels pointed to Leonard’s record while criticizing how the encounter was handled.
“As a father, an attorney and an American, this is terrifying,” Daniels said. His comments also touch on broader concerns about how Black students are treated on college campuses. He argued that the incident could have threatened Leonard’s future, freedom, and life. Daniels believes people who use law enforcement to exert power should face consequences. “People who weaponize law enforcement to show power should be held accountable for their actions,” he said. “The situation could have ended up deadly.”
Mississippi State, meanwhile, emphasized its obligation to respond to reports involving safety. Public Affairs Director Sid Salter said the university is responsible for maintaining a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. “When concerns are reported involving potential threats to campus personnel or operations, the university follows safety and reporting procedures,” Salter said.
He added that the school cooperates with the appropriate law enforcement authorities while providing students access to university resources and support services. MSU declined to discuss further details, citing ongoing legal and disciplinary processes.
Despite the seriousness of the allegation, Leonard has not been criminally charged. Daniels also said his client has not faced disciplinary action from Mississippi State.
The case may still have legal consequences for the university. Daniels’ law firm is investigating what happened and considering its options for seeking legal redress. A civil lawsuit against Mississippi State remains one possibility.
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