Harvard Student Accused Of Bomb Hoax Wanted To Get Out Of Final Exam
A Harvard student who wanted to get out of his final exam has been accused of the bomb hoax that prompted the evacuation of four buildings on Monday.
Federal prosecutors say the Harvard student that called the bomb threat was trying to get out of his final exam., As a result, a criminal complaint was filed Tuesday by the US attorney’s office.
Police say Eldo Kim sent emails to Harvard police, two university officials, and the president of the Harvard Crimson newspapers saying bombs had been placed around the Cambridge, Massachussettes campus.
In the messages, the Harvard student said shrapnel bombs would go off soon in two of the four buildings, including one where prosecutors say Kim was supposed to take an exam Monday morning.
The buildings were shut down for hours before investigators, using bomb sniffing dogs, determined there were no explosives.
The Science Center and Thayer, Emerson, and Sever Halls were all evacuated around 9 am when the university said in a statement it had received “unconfirmed reports” that explosives may have been placed at the four sites.
By 3 pm, all buildings and the Harvard Yard, which had also been shut down, were reopened.
Harvard University authorities say they ordered the evacuations “out of an abundance of caution” and there was no reason to believe there was a threat to any other sites on campus.
Harvard kept students informed via their website and social media, using Twitter to let students and parents know what was taking place in real time.
Alert: Unconfirmed reports of explosives at four sites on campus: Science Center, Thayer, Sever, and Emerson. Evacuate those buildings now.
— Harvard University (@Harvard) December 16, 2013
Alert: HUPD and CPD are on the scene and investigating. Stand by for more info. View emergency page for updates http://t.co/VAZ1odRYB9
— Harvard University (@Harvard) December 16, 2013
Alert: Reports of bombs placed on campus are unconfirmed. There have been NO reports of explosions. View for updates: http://t.co/gAWVUFoPtp
— Harvard University (@Harvard) December 16, 2013
Photo: Dean Jasmine Waddell with students in Annenberg Hall. Buildings evacuated while report is investigated pic.twitter.com/6Y49KXZqK0
— Harvard University (@Harvard) December 16, 2013
Order restored after today’s events on campus http://t.co/whRsNZIn4C pic.twitter.com/M5eZm5IhAx
— Harvard University (@Harvard) December 17, 2013
The bomb hoax was not completely surprising to some Harvard students who were frustrated because their final was postponed.
Alexander Ryjik told The Associated Press he was already in class and his professor was handing out exam booklets when the alert went out to evacuate the building they were in, Emerson Hall.
“I have a good guess somebody called it in so they wouldn’t have to take an exam,” Ryjik said.
Kim is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Wednesday. It is not known if the Harvard student has an attorney.
