Hartford, Conn. ? University of Connecticut student committed an act of terrorism by posting Internet messages telling people to “stop the snitching” after the stabbing death of football player Jasper Howard, university police said Thursday.

Christopher Mutchler, an 18-year-old freshman from Wethersfield, faces charges of hindering prosecution, committing an act of terrorism and several misdemeanors. He is due in court Nov. 10.

The messages were found Oct. 20, posted on an ESPNU news page about the stabbing and a Facebook wall set up for mourners to leave condolence messages.

“STOP the snitching and post the names of anyone you know who gave information to the cops,” read one profanity-laced posting on the ESPNU site. “jazz didnt deserve do die the person who killed him didnt intend to kill HIM anyone who snitched should face the social consequences.”

Over 8,000 people visited the Facebook wall, and police say they had reason to believe the messages were instilling fear and preventing witnesses from coming forward.

“Although his motive for the postings was unclear, it has been determined that Mutchler had no link or relation to others arrested in this case and his threats were termed empty threats,” UConn police said in a news release.