On Tuesday evening, authorities announced that a Cornell student was arrested in connection with the terroristic threats against Jewish Cornellians posted to Greek Rank on Saturday and Sunday.
The student (whose name the Review will not print) is a junior studying computer science at Cornell.
The threats were investigated by the CUPD, eventually being taken up by the FBI. Cornell redditors posted about seeing the FBI outside an apartment complex in Collegetown, where many upper class Cornell students live. Officers and agents were seen searching a Collegetown apartment on Tuesday afternoon.
Late in the evening, Cornell University Relations confirmed that the accused is a current student, thanking the FBI and CUPD for their prompt investigation of the affair. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) led the two-day investigation.
The threats targeted Jewish spaces on campus, including the Center for Jewish Living and 104West!, the Kosher dining hall on West Campus. Posts included threats to “shoot up” 104West!, “rape” and “slit the throats” of Jewish students.
The student has been charged by the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York. Charges include “posting threats to kill or injure another using interstate communications.” The student will be arraigned in a federal court in Syracuse tomorrow. If convicted, the crimes carry a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The threats have attracted national attention, focusing the media’s eyes on Cornell’s campus. Additionally, New York governor Kathy Hochul visited campus to reassure students of state support and security assistance.
The administration immediately condemned the threats and promised a swift investigation.
The weekend threats are the latest in a series of incidents at Cornell following the October 7th Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. Pro-Israel and pro-Palestine students have held competing rallies, vigils, and postering campaigns for several weeks. Professors have also weighed in on the conflict, including history Professor Rickford who drew national condemnation for his comments.
The threats reflect an immense escalation of the tension across the United States and university campuses regarding the Middle East conflict. The ADL has reported almost a 400% increase in antisemitic incidents year over year. In President Pollack’s statement regarding the investigation, she stated:
This incident highlights the need to combat the forces that are dividing us and driving us toward hate. This cannot be what defines us at Cornell.
Cornell President Martha Pollack
Rodge Reschini contributed to this report.
