News

Person of interest in custody over anti-semitic threats targeting Jewish Students at Cornell University

Tuesday, October 31st 2023, 1:35 PM EDT

Updated:

Tuesday, November 28th 2023, 1:34 PM EST

By Max Coven

UPDATE MONDAY, OCTOBER 31st. 2023: Gov. Kathy Hochul gave an update on the online messages threatening Jewish students at Ithaca's Cornell University campus. Hochul said a person of interest is in custody and is being questioned by authorities.

"When I met with Cornell students yesterday, I promised them New York State would do everything possible to find the perpetrator who threatened a mass shooting and antisemitic violence on campus," said Hochul in a prepared statement Tuesday afternoon.

She added, "Earlier today, law enforcement identified a person of interest as part of the investigation and this individual is currently in the custody of the New York State Police for questioning. Public safety is my top priority and I'm committed to combatting hate and bias wherever it rears its ugly head."

This is a developing story.

ITHACA, NY (WENY) -- On Sunday, October 29th, antisemitic threats were made online, targeting Jewish students on Ithaca's Cornell University campus. The anonymous post appeared on the website Greek Squad, where users can post anonymously.

"There was just a series of posts that were posted anonymously on a website forum that were very alarming, not only because they were targeting Jews," says Sean Dreifuss, who is Jewish and a sophomore at Cornell.

Dreifuss told WENY News reporter on October 11th, that the Cornell Community surrounded a Star of David made of candles to remember the lives lost in the Middle East. The vigil was held after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7th. On October 9th, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcing Israel was at war with Hamas.

The posts are causing students to fear for their physical safety. On Monday, October 30th, security ramped up security around the campus; specifically in buildings often used by Jewish students.

"Specific Jewish buildings such as the kosher dining hall, where a lot of Jews eat, was targeted. So that led to an increase in security, local security, state security, as well as the FBI getting involved to see ultimately how we're going to deal with these threats," said Dreifuss.

When Cornell reported the threats, New York Governor Kathy Hochul scheduled to speak to the community at Cornell on Monday morning. Hochul participated in a roundtable with Jewish students.

"I came here in person with one strong message that we will not tolerate threats. Or hatred, or anti-semitism," said Gov. Hochul. "No one should be afraid to walk from their dorm or their dining hall to a classroom. That is a basic right that every New Yorker has outside of campus, but particularly on a campus because these are young people who are in an environment that is intended to protect them as well… But they are a strong group of young people who deserve to have the support of an entire campus and indeed the entire state to help them get through these difficult times. And that's why I, as the Governor of the State of New York, came here today.”

Tompkins County Legislature Chairwoman Shawna Black, issued a statement about the threat at the Cornell University Jewish Living Center.

"Tompkins County condemns the hateful and targeted posts threatening Jewish students at Cornell University. Antisemitism, violent threats, and hate speech of any kind are intolerable. All students in our community deserve safe learning and living environments regardless of ethnicity or creed. Targeted threats toward Jewish students are unacceptable and cruel. Tompkins County commends the law enforcement agencies working diligently to keep people safe and to investigate these threats of violence," Black said.

Cornell University would not make a comment to WENY News, but posted a statement on their website. Following a press release from the university, they say the hateful language is being investigated by the FBI.

Just before 5 in the evening on Monday, October 30th, Cornell updated its statement to say, "The safety and security of the entire Cornell community continue to be our top priority. We are taking threats very seriously and working with the FBI, State Police, and other agencies to investigate — we continue to have an enhanced law enforcement presence on campus to keep our community safe. We have increased patrols and arranged additional security for our Jewish students and organizations on and off campus, and the university is in constant communication with these groups.”

This is a developing story that WENY News will update when more information is made available.

As of Monday, October 30th, the tolls overseas stand at: