The Cornell University student accused of making violent threats against his Jewish classmates is a 21-year-old engineering student who suffers from “such severe depression” that his mother worried he was on the verge of suicide moments before his arrest. .
Patrick Dai, a junior at the prestigious university, was arrested by federal authorities on Tuesday for allegedly making a series of disturbing posts online over the weekend threatening to kill and rape Jewish students and “bring an assault rifle to the campus”.
Investigators traced the deranged posts to Dai’s IP address at his off-campus apartment, where he allegedly admitted to being the culprit, according to a federal complaint.
Dai’s parents, however, believe their son is innocent.
“My son suffers from severe depression. He cannot control his emotions well due to depression. “No, I don’t think he committed the crime,” his father, who asked that his name not be used, told The Post in a text message.
Patrick Dai, the Cornell student arrested after allegedly posting anti-Semitic messages on an online forum, was suffering from “severe depression,” his parents told The Post. AP
Dai sank into a deep depression in 2021, a year after beginning his engineering studies at the prestigious university, his parents said.
He entered the school as one of five National Merit Scholars named at Pittsford-Mendon High School and a 12-time AP Scholar who also logged time volunteering at Rochester General Hospital.
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At Cornell, Dai worked as a university consultant helping tutor other engineering students with MATLAB, a computer programming language, and as logistics director for the school’s Science Olympiad.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul spoke at the Center for Jewish Life at Cornell on Monday, October 30. Governor Kathy Hochul
Dai also worked as an orientation leader and was promoted to supervisor after just two months on the job, according to his LinkedIn.
Dai underwent a dramatic change after just a year, his parents said, although they strongly emphasized that he never had a history of violence.
“He was always very friendly to society, well organized, helpful to my family and his colleagues before 2021,” his father said.
“He told us that he lost his goal and motivation in life… As parents, we tried to give him more love.”
At a doctor’s suggestion, Dai took two semesters off from his studies (in spring 2022 and 2023) to try to recover, but struggled to regain his ambition.
Dai’s communications with his parents broke down just days before his arrest, around the time he allegedly posted deranged threats to “shoot up 104 West,” a college dining hall that caters predominantly to kosher diets, and to “slit the throat” of any He encountered Jewish men.
“My wife called him or messaged him many times but got no response. “She was worried that she might commit suicide and drove to her apartment to see what was happening,” Dai’s father said.
Dai’s father does not believe his son is responsible for the messages posted on the forum because he “can’t control his emotions.” X/cbouzy
By the time she made the 80-mile trip to the Ithaca building, Dai had already been arrested.
Instead of his son, he saw several police officers parked outside his son’s college house.
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Although they do not believe their son is responsible for the anti-Semitic posts, Dai’s parents theorize that his depression is somehow related to the case.
When asked what the connection might be, Dai’s father said, “Please contact your doctor if you have this question. It’s too complicated for me.”
Dai’s communications with his parents were cut off just days before his arrest, around the time he allegedly posted the unhinged threats to “shoot up 104 West.”
Dai is accused of posting threats to kill or injure another person through interstate communications, which could lead to up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
It is unclear if he has retained an attorney.
Dai is scheduled to appear in federal court on Wednesday.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn