Penn State student charged after bomb threat posted on social media messaging app
A Penn State student was charged Tuesday, accused of using a messaging app to post a bomb threat that led university police to consider the evacuation of a large group of people from downtown State College.
Henry P. Hyduke, 20, of New Jersey, was accused of posting the threat Wednesday on Yik Yak, a social media app that lets users post anonymous messages within a 5-mile radius.
A site moderator alerted the FBI of the post, which read “ROTC bombing downtown state college tonight. Stay safe.”
Police considered evacuating people from university-owned and leased properties in the “general area” — the most densely populated area in Centre County — but opted not to because a specific location was not identified in the threat, a detective wrote in an affidavit of probable cause.
”Police quickly identified the student who allegedly made the threat, made in-person contact and determined there was no legitimate threat to the community,” university spokesman Wyatt DuBois wrote in an email. “Penn State police urge community members to report any suspicious activity they observe — including on social media — to police by calling 814-863-1111 or dialing 911 in an emergency.”
Hyduke admitted to making the post in an interview with an investigator, police wrote. He denied being involved with the ROTC and said he did not intend to cause mass casualties at Penn State’s flagship campus or downtown State College.
Hyduke, police wrote, said he was “trying to make a comedic message” and thought the post “wouldn’t be taken seriously.” He also apologized, police wrote, and acknowledged the post could have caused fear.
A defense lawyer was not listed. A phone number listed for Hyduke did not accept voicemails Tuesday and an email was sent to his university account.
Hyduke was charged with one misdemeanor count of terroristic threats. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 28.