Graduate student charged for terrorizing San Jose State with bomb hoaxes, antisemitic threats

The US Department of Justice announced that Ziheng "Tony" Fang, 30, of San Jose, California, was arrested on a federal charge of false information and hoaxes. Fang, who is pursuing a master's degree in data science at San Jose State University, made his initial appearance in federal court in San Jose on July 10.

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According to a criminal complaint unsealed by federal prosecutors, Fang allegedly authored a series of threatening messages that appeared throughout the university over several months, culminating in an investigation that linked him to the writings through forensic evidence, surveillance footage, and campus key card records.

One of the messages, discovered on Nov. 5, 2025, was taped to the wall of a men's restroom inside a plastic sheet protector. It began with the warning, "WARNING! MASS BOMB NEXT WEEK," and featured multiple swastikas. Investigators say Fang's fingerprint was recovered from the paper.

A second message found in the same restroom allegedly read: "Kill all Jews, Muslims, Chinks, and Mexicans," followed by, "Mass bombing 11/11 and 11/12 guess."

According to the complaint, the Nov. 5 messages were only part of a much broader pattern. Since October 2024, San Jose State University police documented more than 20 hateful and threatening messages written in men's and gender-neutral restrooms across campus. Many threatened attacks on specific dates and referenced bombs, shootings, knives, or other forms of mass violence. The latest alleged threat was discovered on May 14.

Federal investigators allege Fang's movements closely matched the appearance of the messages. According to the complaint, key card records show Fang entered campus buildings before the discovery of threatening messages in 16 of the 18 instances where electronic access logs were available. Prosecutors say the only individual with more widespread access was a university facilities employee whose job required entering those buildings.

Surveillance video also allegedly captured Fang entering and leaving restrooms or restroom areas where several of the messages later appeared, sometimes less than a day before they were discovered.

The repeated threats had a significant impact on campus operations. According to prosecutors, San Jose State University's president's office repeatedly issued emergency emails and text alerts warning students and staff ahead of the dates referenced in the threats. Some professors chose to cancel classes or move instruction online in response.

The university's police department and administrators also received numerous calls from students and community members fearful of coming to campus. On several of the dates identified in the threatening messages, campus buildings became a "ghost town," according to the criminal complaint.

Fang remains in federal custody. He is charged with making false information and hoax threats. He was scheduled to return to federal court on July 13 for identification of counsel before Chief Magistrate Judge Nathanael Cousins.