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Published 15:21 20 Apr 2026 GMT
A 23-year-old student at Florida International University has found herself in legal trouble following a series of messages sent to a large group chat.
Gabriela Saldana was arrested in the early hours of April 17 after university police investigated comments made in a WhatsApp group containing over 2,000 participants. The messages allegedly targeted the FIU Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
Per 7 News Miami, the investigation began after Saldana allegedly sent a message involving the Prime Minister of Israel and a request for an attack on a campus building.
While the student claimed the messages were a joke, authorities moved quickly to detain her. She now faces a second-degree felony charge for allegedly writing threats to kill or do bodily harm.
Saldana appeared before Judge Mindy S. Glazer after being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that the student’s bail was set at $5,000. Under Florida Statute 836.10, the charge she faces carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
The messages in question used the word bonbons, which investigators interpreted as a code for explosives. According to reports, one message stated: “Netanyahu, if you can hear me, drop some bonbons for us Capstone students in Ocean Bank Convocation Center.”
A police officer also testified that Saldana sent a follow-up message claiming: “There is going to be a bomb in the Ocean Bank Convocation Center and it was going to be Jonathan’s fault.”
Judge Glazer addressed the student directly regarding the nature of the posts. The judge noted that while Saldana may have intended the comments to be humorous, the legal standard for probable cause was met.
“I can understand your position when you are saying this is a joke, but to an objective person, it’s not a joke, and it would be enough for probable cause,” the judge stated during the hearing.
Florida International University has released a statement confirming that the arrest was made due to what they described as a credible and imminent threat. Per Local 10, the university noted that the suspect had identified a specific venue and time for the potential incident.
The school administration confirmed there is no further threat to the campus community but declined to comment further, citing privacy laws and the active investigation.
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