The San José State University campus has been shaken by a series of alarming messages left in men’s and gender-neutral restrooms, leading to heightened fears among students and faculty alike. The messages, which included threats of bombings and gun violence, have drawn the attention of local police and the FBI, resulting in a significant investigation.
The Allegations Against Ziheng Fang
A graduate student named Ziheng “Tony” Fang, age 30, has been arrested in connection with these threats. Pursuing a master’s degree in data science, Fang faces a federal charge of false information and hoaxes, as confirmed by the U.S. Department of Justice. Although only one charge is formally linked to him, authorities indicate that he may be responsible for numerous threatening messages discovered across the campus.
Details of the Investigation
According to the Justice Department, police documented at least 20 instances of these messages being left in campus bathrooms, with the first sightings dating back to October 2024. One particularly concerning note found on November 5 contained a warning of a mass bombing slated for the following week, accompanied by swastika symbols.
Prosecutors explained that a fingerprint belonging to Fang was recovered from a message found in a plastic sheath, further tying him to these incidents. Investigators studied his access to campus buildings using his key card, discovering that 16 threatening messages coincided with his entries on campus. Moreover, security footage captured Fang near the restrooms just prior to the discovery of several of the threats.
In light of these incidents, the university’s administration enacted precautionary measures by sending out alerts to students and staff ahead of dates associated with the threats. Professors faced the tough decision of whether to cancel or move classes online during those worrying times, resulting in an eerie calm on campus as many stayed away from the areas implicated in the threats.
Currently, Fang remains in federal custody following his arrest last Friday, with a detention hearing scheduled for Thursday to determine if he will be released awaiting the outcome of his case.
