Apparent threats from an ex-boyfriend had the potential to turn deadly Tuesday evening. University of Tennessee at Martin Safety and Security Department members were alerted around 6:55 p.m. by a student claiming her ex-boyfriend had made death threats to her and her friend via Facebook earlier in the day.
The ex, 20-year-old Maxwell T. Williams, had allegedly threatened to kill the victim’s friend and destroy his car. The victim told officers she and Williams dated for nearly two years and had broken off the relationship about two months ago, according to an affidavit.
The victim also said she received nearly 100 text messages a day from Williams demanding to know where she was or who she was with.
Williams had also allegedly come to the UT Martin campus to observe the victim with her friends at least once. It was Tuesday evening when the victim received a phone call from another friend stating Williams was in the parking lot next to her vehicle. Williams had allegedly threatened to burn the victim’s friend.
After fielding the complaint, Safety and Security officers located Williams’ vehicle in one of the campus’ parking lots. He was driving a white Crown Victoria. Officers stopped the vehicle in the University Center parking lot.
According to the affidavit, officers noticed glass bottles containing a brownish-colored liquid with rags extending from the top of them located in the floor of the passenger side of Williams’ vehicle. The bottles  are also known as Molotov cocktails (explosives).
Officers also allegedly found a long sword and long crowbar in Williams’ vehicle.
Williams was arrested by officers after he reportedly admitted the bottles contained a gasoline and oil mixture.
Officers with the Martin Police Department, State Fire Bomb and Arson Division, and a bomb dog were called to the scene.
A search of the vehicle revealed a butane torch, according to the report.
Williams’ car was towed from the scene.
He is charged with possession of prohibited weapons, illegal possession of weapons on school property, reckless endangerment and aggravated stalking.
“University officials decided not to issue a timely warning alert as the situation was quickly controlled and no continuous imminent danger was posed to the campus or community,”  a press release issued by UTM stated.
Williams is a former UTM student.

WCP 4.26.12