Florida Student Charged After Netanyahu ‘Drop Bombs’ Message Sparks Panic, Calls It a ‘Dumb Joke’
Florida International University confirmed the arrest of a student accused of making a bomb threat targeting a campus event.
A Florida International University student was arrested on April 16 for allegedly sending out a bomb threat in a 215-member WhatsApp group chat.
Gabriela Saldana, 23, shared messages such as, “Netanyahu, drop some bonbons for us Capstone students,” and “Bomb in Ocean Bank Convocation Center,” according to Florida Crime Watch.
Investigators believe she was referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, using the word “bonbons” as a coded reference to bombs.
The group was discussing a scheduled gathering at the school’s Ocean Bank Convocation Center on April 10, when Saldana’s messages sparked panic among classmates who swiftly alerted the police.
Gabriela Saldana faces charges of threats to kill or do bodily harm with prejudice.
Referring to another student, Saldana wrote, “There is going to be a bomb in the Ocean Bank Convocation Center and it was going to be Jonathan’s fault,” according to The Daily Mail.
Saldana is a dual-major student at the university.
‘Messages Sent As A Joke’
Although Saldana claimed that she made “dumb jokes”, some of the other students did not interpret them as jokes.
Saldana, who previously worked as an intern at Microsoft, was taken into custody near the university's main campus and later appeared in bond court, where she was officially charged.
“I wrote a dumb joke that should not have been made,” Saldana said to Judge Mindy S. Glazer.
“I can understand your position when you are saying this is a joke,” Judge Glazer said during the hearing. “But to an objective person, it’s not a joke, and it would be enough for probable cause. I’m not saying it’s enough for beyond a reasonable doubt. I don’t know if the state is going to be able to prove it in trial, but for purposes of this hearing, I believe there is enough for probable cause.”
Charges Filed in Court
Saldana was charged with making written threats to kill or do bodily harm, and her bond was set at $5,000.
The judge declined to find probable cause for an additional enhancement related to prejudice.
Florida International University confirmed the arrest, saying Saldana threatened a planned event at the university.
“An FIU student has been arrested for making a credible and imminent threat of violence at a planned university event,” the university said.
“According to the investigation, the suspect identified a specific date, time and venue. Given the ongoing investigation and federal student privacy laws, FIU has no further comment. There is no further threat to the university community,” per The Daily Mail.
Gabriela Saldana wrote, “There is going to be a bomb in the Ocean Bank Convocation Center and it was going to be Jonathan’s fault.”
Family Launches Fundraiser
A fundraiser was set up by Saldana’s brother, Alan Saldana, to support her legal representation. “We are raising funds to help cover legal expenses and related costs so she can focus on resolving this situation and continuing her education,” he said.
“We understand the seriousness of the situation and are taking the appropriate steps to move forward responsibly. At the same time we, as her family and friends, believe strongly in Gabriela’s character and her future, and we are doing everything we can to support her during this time,” he added.
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