University at Buffalo student arrested for making online threats

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A University at Buffalo student was arrested by campus police for posting a threatening message on social media. According to a university statement, the threat was aimed at people participating in a march on campus organized by the UB Jewish Student Union.

The university says the 18-year-old student turned himself in after university police identified him. He was charged with attempted terrorist threat and threat of mass damage. He was released and ticketed to appear in Amherst Municipal Court.

Brian Hamluk, UB vice president for student life, said in a statement: “The university will respond immediately whenever threatening, harassing or discriminatory acts are committed against a member of our community. UB declares in the strongest possible terms that we strongly condemn and oppose anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and all forms of discrimination.

The threat follows the arrest of 15 people following a pro-Palestinian demonstration on the university’s north campus on May 1. The university said the eight people arrested were not affiliated with the school.