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The case of a Cornell University student accused of making violent antisemitic threats has been getting nationwide attention.  However, the students’ online apology was quickly taken down.

Hours after the threatening online posts emerged from 21-year-old Cornell student Patrick Dai, a new post appeared with a radically different tone. 

In this final post, Dai offered a heartfelt apology, acknowledging the gravity of his actions and expressing remorse.

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Online Apology

The online apology began with a sincere tone: "Apologies," it read, "There is no room for divisive statements in person or online. I am sorry."

Dai's apology continued, "A lesser man would try to hide behind a mask, and that is exactly what I did. Shameful, calling for violence against people because of a cruel war a thousand miles away. Even more shameful because there is no excuse for the targeting of innocent civilians, much less my classmates."

The apology appears to be a significant departure from the threats Dai is accused of making, which included plans to "shoot up" a dining hall catering to Jewish students and committing violence against Jewish students on campus.

Assistant US Attorney Geoffrey Brown said that Dai visited the campus dining facility he had threatened to shoot up in his posts online.

Patrick Dai's Mother Speaks Out

In an exclusive interview, Patrick Dai's mother, Bing Liu, 53, offered insights into her son's mental state and revealed the existence of the online apology.

 Liu explained that she believed her son's mental state was a contributing factor to the threats he had made. And says her son has been depressed and is prescribed the anti-depressant Lexapro.

She indicated that the apology had been shared with Dai's defense lawyers from the federal public defender's office in Syracuse.

Lisa Peebles, the federal public defender for the Northern District of New York, declined to comment on the case against Dai. She has, however, requested a bail hearing for Dai, scheduled for Thursday.

Community Reaction

The threats Dai made sent shockwaves through the Cornell campus and the wider community. Given the rising incidents of antisemitism on college campuses and concerns about mass shootings, the allegations were met with deep concern. 

The Israel-Hamas conflict has intensified tensions and debates, and colleges and universities have become focal points for discussions surrounding the conflict.

 Dai's arrest occurred against a backdrop of divisive discourse on campuses. It's worth noting that Cornell had been grappling with its own controversies related to the Middle East debate prior to Dai's arrest.

Joel Malina, vice president for university relations, emphasized the severity of the situation and called for prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.

The Apology

Bing Liu, Dai's mother, did not downplay the seriousness of her son's alleged actions and acknowledged that his guilt or innocence had yet to be determined. She expressed that the apology seemed to reflect her son's true nature.

 Notably, the timeline suggests that the apology was posted before Dai's arrest.

Liu raised questions about why the apology had not been shared publicly by prosecutors and the FBI, particularly since the threats had gained national and international attention. 

She also questioned why the school had not made the apology known. It should be noted that the online apology has since been removed from public view, similar to the threats Dai is accused of posting.