SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WHCU) – Former Cornell junior Patrick Dai has pled guilty in federal court.

The 21-year-old Pittsford, New York native admitted on Wednesday to posting messages threatening to shoot and stab Jewish students on campus in October of 2023. The messages appeared in a Cornell section of an online discussion forum. Dai said he would “shoot up 104 west,” and “bomb jewish house,” a Jewish dining hall and residential center. In other posts, Dai threatened to “stab” and “slit the throat” of any Jewish man on campus, rape and throw off a cliff any Jewish women, and behead any Jewish babies. In the same post, he claimed he would “bring an assault rifle to campus and shoot all you pig jews.”

“Patrick Dai’s disturbingly violent threats caused widespread panic and fear throughout Cornell University’s Jewish community,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli. “I want to commend our Joint Terrorism Task Force and our outstanding partners from New York State Police and Cornell University’s Police Department for their swift coordination in identifying and arresting Dai.”

The crime of posting threats to kill or injure another person using interstate communications carries a maximum prison sentence of five years and up to a $250,000 fine. Dai could additionally be subjected to up to three years of supervised release when he gets out of prison, and restitution payments to victims.

“We are grateful for the diligent work of our law enforcement partners involved in the investigation and legal process,” said Cornell University Police Chief Anthony Bellamy. “The swift response and investigative efforts illustrate the commitment of Cornell Police and the Division of Public Safety to keep our community safe from threats of targeted violence. We are thankful this matter has come to a just conclusion without further impact and hope this plea and conviction provide some comfort to the affected members of our community.”

Dai’s sentencing is scheduled for August 12 in Syracuse.