Man accused of leaving explosives at Harvard claims he responded to Craigslist ad
CAMBRIDGE - It's a day some Harvard University students won't soon forget as they describe the day the Science Center Plaza was suddenly closed off on April 13, part of the area evacuated due to several bomb threats and a suspicious package discovered.
"There was a pit in my stomach for a few hours about what was happening," said student Koby Ljunggren, the head of the graduate student union.
"They never told us it was a bomb, only a suspicious package and don't get near it," said freshman Santiago Salazar.
Authorities now say the man behind the threat is 45-year-old William Giordani, who claims he was only answering a Craigslist ad from someone wanting to arrange to have a package delivered to a family member at Harvard and earn $300.00. As it turns out it would contain fireworks and wires inside a tool bag which Giordani is allegedly seen on surveillance video picking up from a Dorchester Home Depot.
"It was crazy sitting in there and hearing a giant boom go off knowing it was close to where we were," said student Sean Gallagher.
The boom was Cambridge Police exploding the bag after someone, with a phone number matching the Craigslist ad, called Harvard claiming three bombs were on campus and the University should prepare a large bitcoin transaction as soon as possible.
Giordani is allegedly seen on surveillance at the Science Center Plaza putting the bag with explosives next to a bench and then walking away.
Ljunggren says it was all too close. "I think it's one of the first times in my memory it was an actual real threat on campus which I'm not sure is something we're totally used to," Ljunggren said.
Students say it was an unusually warm spring day that had everyone outside as they think about the consequences if the bag had gone off. Giordani is awaiting a federal detention hearing Friday with students now questioning the frightening incident.
"I'm thinking about the safety of the campus, but also what needs did this person have that led them to feel like they needed to take this action," student Paige Johnston said.