LINN — A Greenfield man faces a misdemeanor charge after allegedly sending a group text threatening a shooting at State Technical College of Missouri.

Nikolas James Gossett, 19, is charged in Osage County with attempting to make a terrorist threat in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor, following an Oct. 14 incident.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Linn Police Sgt. Darrell Chrisenberry, Gossett participated in a group text thread involving 17 people, including at least one State Tech instructor.

The affidavit alleges another student posted a provocative photograph of Gossett’s 22-year-old sister in the thread, angering him. Gossett then allegedly posted, “I’m going to shoot up the school tomorrow don’t show up”.

During an interview, Gossett admitted posting the message but said he meant it more as a joke, according to the affidavit.

Chrisenberry reported that Gossett attempted to delete the original message and replace it with “I hate all of you.” According to the affidavit, Gossett acknowledged during the interview that he tried to delete the original text and replace it with a different one.

The affidavit states State Tech normally has between 3,000 and 3,300 people on campus during a school day. It also states Gossett had no criminal history.

Jail records show that Linn Police arrested Gossett on Oct. 15 and that he was released the next day on a $20,000 bond.

Prosecuting Attorney Amanda Grellner filed the original complaint on Oct. 16, identifying the attempted second-degree offense as a class E felony. An amended information filed later that morning identified the charge as a class A misdemeanor.

Court records show Gossett appeared for arraignment Oct. 20. A counsel status hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, before Judge Sonya Brandt.