AMHERST, N.Y. — A University at Buffalo student was arrested Monday for making a threatening post on social media directed at people participating in an on-campus march organized by the UB chapter of the Jewish Student Association.
An 18-year-old student turned himself in after being identified by university police. He was charged with attempting to make a terrorist threat (class E felony) and attempting to make a threat of mass harm (class B misdemeanor). He was then released and issued an appearance ticket for Amherst Town Court.
The student’s name is being withheld out of concern that identifying him could endanger his safety.
The student is accused of posting a picture of a pro-Israel demonstration that took place on campus Monday in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day with the caption “can someone shoot this s–t up” on the class of 2027 public Snapchat story.
Multiple students reported the post to university police, leading to an arrest.
2 On Your Side spoke with a few Jewish students on campus Tuesday about their reaction to the post.
“I think the most upsetting thing is when you see protests or rallies for different narratives, no one is saying stuff like this,” said Dylan Kallett.
“We don't take flags from them. We don't say anything threatening to them,” added Brandon Meyer, President of Students Supporting for Israel.
The students had mixed perspectives on what disciplinary action they wanted the student responsible for this post to face. Some said they’d feel more safe if he was no longer allowed on campus. Others said they just hope he learns from his mistake.
Legal experts tell 2 On Your Side it is unlikely that the student will face prison time for this act, especially if he is a first-time offender, since terrorism speech laws have not been fully tested yet and the student can cite First Amendment rights.
The university said he will be subject to UB’s on-campus judicial process.
UB Vice President for Student Life Brian Hamluk released a statement responding to the arrest:
“The university will immediately respond whenever threatening, harassing or discriminatory acts are committed against a member of our community. UB states in the strongest possible manner that we condemn and stand firmly against antisemitism, Islamophobia and discrimination of any form.”
RELATED VIDEO: