Update 4 p.m. Wednesday 11-1-2023

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — NEWS10’s sister station in Syracuse has obtained the booking photo of the Cornell University junior scheduled to appear in federal court on accusations he posted threatening messages online that call for deadly violence against Jewish people.

Patrick Dai, 21, was being held at the Broome County Jail before his hearing scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Dai was arrested Tuesday on a federal criminal complaint charging him with “posting threats to kill or injure another using interstate communications.”

Dai is accused of posting threatening messages online calling for the deaths of Jewish people.

Federal investigators accuse Dai of posting the following:

  • “gonna shoot up 104 West”
  • threatened to “stab” and “slit the throat” of Jewish males on campus
  • rape and throw off a cliff any Jewish females
  • behead Jewish babies
  • “bring an assault rifle to campus and shoot all you pig jews”

104 West is a Cornell University dining hall that caters predominantly to Kosher diets and is located next to the Cornell Jewish Center, which provides residences for Cornell students

According to the Department of Justice, Dai grew up in Pittsford, outside of Rochester.

Community Day at Cornell Friday, November 3

This Friday, November 3, will be a community day. No classes will be held, and faculty and staff will be excused from work, except for employees who provide essential services.