Campus Alert Archive
Penn State

Ten-Dollar Bomb Threat: Penn State Roommates Post Yik Yak Hoax to Skip Final Exam

PAbomb threatemergency notificationmedium confidence
Confirmed HoaxDetermined to be a hoax. The institutional response is documented because it reveals how the alert system performed under a perceived real threat.

On December 16, 2024, an alarming post appeared on Yik Yak claiming a bomb was planted in the Forum Building and threatening to "shoot this place up." The threat was traced to two Penn State students, with one allegedly posting the threat for $10 to help her roommate avoid a final exam.

Alerts
2
Response
—
Killed
—
Injured
—
Institution
Pennsylvania State University
Public R1 · PA
~88,500 studentsPSU Alert
Confirmed Timeline

Alert Sequence

2 messages in sequence

Some alert texts below are approximate reconstructions from news coverage, not confirmed verbatim transcripts. Reconstructed texts are shown in italic with a dashed border. Verified verbatim texts have a solid border and are marked accordingly.

INITIAL ALERTSMS
Approximate reconstruction147 chars
PSU ALERT: Bomb threat reported at Forum Building, University Park campus. Avoid the area. Police are responding. Check alerts.psu.edu for updates.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed from news coverage; Penn State University Police, State College Police, Ferguson Township Police, and the FBI all responded to the threat
The Yik Yak post stated a bomb was planted in the Forum Building and threatened to 'shoot this place up'
ALL CLEARSMS
Approximate reconstruction184 chars
PSU ALERT UPDATE: The bomb threat at the Forum Building has been cleared. A comprehensive search revealed no explosives or weapons. Normal activities may resume. Investigation ongoing.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed from news coverage; a comprehensive search of the building revealed no explosives or weapons
No evidence suggested either student had access to firearms or bomb-making materials
Context

Background

During finals week at Penn State University Park, a Yik Yak post on December 16, 2024, threatened both a bombing and a shooting at the Forum Building. The post was traced to 18-year-old Madeline C. Steczkowski, who allegedly made the threat after her roommate Carolyn E. Kahn expressed anxiety about an upcoming exam. Kahn reportedly agreed to pay Steczkowski $10 for the post. Authorities responded in force: Penn State University Police, State College Police, Ferguson Township Police, and the FBI all mobilized. A comprehensive search of the Forum Building found no explosives or weapons, and investigators confirmed neither student had access to firearms or bomb-making knowledge. Both students faced four counts of terroristic threats causing serious public inconvenience, a charge carrying up to five years in prison. Steczkowski faced additional charges including threats to use weapons of mass destruction and conspiracy.
Analysis

Key Findings

The bomb threat was motivated by exam avoidance, with one student allegedly paying the other $10 to post it
Multiple law enforcement agencies including the FBI responded to the threat
Both students faced felony charges carrying potential five-year prison sentences
Outcome
Madeline C. Steczkowski, 18, and Carolyn E. Kahn were both charged with terroristic threats. Steczkowski faced additional charges including threats to use weapons of mass destruction. A building search found no explosives or weapons.
Provenance

Sources

  1. News
    2 Penn State Students Charged After Social Media Threat to Disrupt Final Exam (Campus Safety Magazine)
    campussafetymagazine.com
  2. News
    PD: PSU roommates accused of making bomb threat on social media app to avoid final exam (WJAC TV)
    wjactv.com
  3. Student Paper
    Two Penn State students charged for posting bomb threat during finals week (Penn State Collegian)
    psucollegian.com
Tags
bomb-threathoaxyik-yaksocial-mediafinals-weekpennsylvaniabig-tenforum-buildingfbi-responseHoax
Added May 2026Updated May 2026Via ingestion