Man charged with threatening to bomb Harvard University event for black graduates
Nicholas Zuckerman is alleged to have posted several sinister messages on Instagram
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A man who allegedly threatened to bomb a Harvard University event honouring the achievements of black students has been arrested.
Nicholas Zuckerman is accused of publishing a string of sinister posts on the prestigious institution’s official Instagram account in May 2017.
The 24-year-old from Arizona has been charged on two counts of transmitting in interstate and foreign commerce a threat to injure the person of another, Massachusetts prosecutors said. He will appear in a federal court in Boston at a later date.
The university was preparing to hold its first ever commencement ceremony specifically recognising the achievements of black graduates, an event attended by several hundred people, when Mr Zuckerman allegedly made the post.
Ten days before the event was set to commence, Zuckerman allegedly called for a shooting to take place in a comment made on the Harvard Instagram feed.
“If the blacks only ceremony happens, then I encourage violence and death at it. I’m thinking two automatics with extendo clips. Just so no n***** gets away,” the post read.
He is also accused of making several bomb threats, writing “#bombharvard and end their pro-black agenda”, before responding “#bombharvard”, to other users’ posts 11 times in the space of four minutes.
A member of the public reported the posts to the Harvard University police, who then referred the case to federal authorities, the US Attorney for the District of Massachusetts said.
Under US law a charge of transmitting threats to injure a person carries a maximum prison sentence of five years and a fine of $250,000 (£186,500).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments