NEW YORK — In a shocking turn of events, a Cornell University engineering student found himself facing a federal judge on Wednesday afternoon for allegedly promoting the murder of Jewish students on campus.
Transitioning from being a student at the esteemed Cornell School of Engineering to becoming a suspect in federal custody, 21-year-old Patrick Dai stands accused of threatening to kill Jewish students at Cornell University and expressing his intent to “shoot up” an on-campus kosher dining facility.
Gavi Schechter, a Cornell student, expressed her disbelief and condemnation, stating, “It is obviously completely vile and completely unacceptable for something like that to be happening on a college campus in America in 2023.”
Sam Friedman, another student, echoed Schechter’s sentiments, saying, “I really don’t think, and I don’t believe, that somebody at Cornell would make such evil and vile and disgusting threats.”
However, federal investigators assert that Dai did, in fact, post graphic threats online against Jewish students. The shocking nature of these threats has led one student to comment, “It doesn’t feel like we’re living in 2023. Feels like we’re living in Nazi Germany.”
Dai, a Chinese American who grew up in Pittsford, N.Y., approximately 80 miles from Cornell’s Ithaca campus, was apprehended by the FBI late Tuesday after his IP address was traced back to the one used to post the threats online. During questioning by federal agents, Dai admitted to his actions.
Levi Schmuel, a student, expressed his disbelief at Dai’s behavior, stating, “I can’t imagine what would go through the mind of someone like that. First of all, you are making threats on this random website, like, why would you do that? I think it is really ridiculous, and I am glad that the person was taken into custody.”
Jewish students at Cornell, who once felt safe and secure, are now outraged and terrified. One student admitted, “I would say, compared to how I felt in September, no.” Another student revealed that their family even discussed whether it was safe for them to remain on campus or if they should return home.
Overnight, Cornell University released a statement condemning these horrific threats and expressing their gratitude to the FBI. The statement affirmed the university’s dedication to assisting law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in prosecuting the case. Campus security has been heightened to ensure the safety of students, faculty, and staff.
In a statement, Vice President for University Relations Joel Malina stated, “Cornell University is grateful to the FBI for working so swiftly to identify and apprehend the suspect in this case, a Cornell student, who remains in custody. We remain shocked by and condemn these horrific, antisemitic threats and believe they should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. We know that our campus community will continue to support one another in the days ahead. Cornell Police will maintain its heightened security presence on campus as the university continues to focus on supporting the needs of our students, faculty, and staff.”
Dai was promptly suspended by the university upon his arrest. New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her desire for Dai to face the harshest punishment possible and is exploring the possibility of filing state charges against him as well. She emphasized, “I want to make an example of this. If you do this, you will be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
In federal court on Wednesday, Dai waived his right to a bail hearing. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. It is worth noting that since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, the Anti-Defamation League reports a nearly 400% increase in antisemitic incidents in the U.S., with Jewish and Muslim Americans being targeted.
FBI Director Christopher Wray commented on the rise in hate crimes, saying, “We’ve already seen that with the individual we arrested last week in Houston, who’d been studying how to build bombs and posted online about his support for killing Jews. And with the tragic killing of a 6-year-old Muslim boy in Illinois, in what we’re investigating as a federal hate crime.”
