Eldo Kim ’16 charged in Harvard bomb threat

Eldo Kim ’16 was allegedly trying to avoid a final exam.

According to an affidavit filed with the U.S. district attorney, Kim told authorities he was “motivated by a desire to avoid a final exam scheduled to be held on [Monday].”

According to an affidavit filed with the U.S. district attorney, Kim told authorities he was “motivated by a desire to avoid a final exam scheduled to be held on [Monday].”

Sophomore Eldo Kim has been charged by U.S. prosecutors with e-mailing bomb threats that shut down four buildings at Harvard on Monday during final exams, report several news sources, including The Harvard Crimson and The Boston Globe.

Charged with a single count of making a bomb hoax, Kim is facing up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz. According to the Globe, his initial court appearance is set for tomorrow before U.S. magistrate Judge Judith Dein in Boston, and he will be represented by a federal public defender.

According to news reports, the threats were e-mailed to two Harvard officials, the campus police, and the student newspaper at about 8:30 a.m. on Monday and warned of “shrapnel bombs” in Sever, Emerson, Thayer, and the Science Center. The e-mails were sent from a disposable, temporary e-mail address with a temporary Internet Protocol number, reports the Crimson, but after University officials determined that the suspect had used a Harvard wireless network to create the secretive IP, an investigation led authorities to interview Kim in his dormitory on Tuesday night. According to an affidavit filed with the U.S. district attorney, Kim told authorities he was “motivated by a desire to avoid a final exam scheduled to be held on [Monday].”

For extensive coverage of these events as well as background information on Kim, see coverage in The Harvard Crimson.

 

Related topics

You might also like

A summer program helps students from under-resourced high schools close a hidden academic gap.

Ronny Chieng Tells Harvard to ‘Destroy AI’ as Graduates Cheer

The comedian and The Daily Show host gave the keynote address for Class Day 2026.

Phi Beta Kappa Speakers Call Out a ‘Deeply Troubling’ Moment

Former Harvard President Lawrence Bacow and poet Meghan O’Rourke urge graduates to focus on character and “radical attention.”

Most popular

Lafayette’s Unexpected Gift to George Washington: Pheasants

The two birds will be on display at Harvard this summer.

Mindfulness—the unconventional research of psychologist Ellen Langer

Psychologist Ellen Langer's unconventional research. Plus, read about applying mindfulness techniques to eating.

Studying Schooling

Two new education centers, run by Roland Fryer and Thomas Kane, and an existing center, run by Paul Peterson, bring Harvard’s analytic resources to bear on public education issues: student achievement, teacher recruitment, and school choice.

Explore More From Current Issue

Two figures stand before a large, colorful pixelated face against a yellow background.

Harvard scientists identify hundreds of genes under selective pressure.

Katie O’Dair in academic regalia holds a ceremonial staff outdoors at a graduation ceremony.

How Katie O’Dair makes kings, comedians, and parents feel welcome on campus.

Racing driver gives a thumbs up from inside a car, wearing a helmet and safety gear.

Harvard graduate and NASCAR racer Patrick Staropoli on pedals, attention, and fearlessness.