College student threatens Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU, police say

Threat prompts cancellation of Balfour Declaration centenary event

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A Florida International University student made threats Thursday against the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU in Miami Beach, according to the Miami-Dade Police Department.

Detective Argemis Colome said Oscar Aguayo, 21, threatened to "raise havoc" at the museum.

FBI agents and Miami-Dade police were involved in the investigation. They found Aguayo in class at the Modesto Maidique Campus, 885 SW 109 Ave, and detained him. 

"Investigators continue to question Mr. Arguayo, charges pending, if any," Colome said.

Miami-Dade police's bomb squad inspected Aguayo's white Honda Accord at FIU's Blue Garage. Miami Beach Police Department officers searched the museum at 301 Washington Ave. Authorities deemed that both locations were safe. 

Ariel Roman-Harris, a spokesman for the Israeli consulate general office in Miami, said the threat prompted their decision to cancel their Thursday night event at the museum as a precaution. 

The event was meant to commemorate the 100 years of the pivotal Balfour Declaration, a 1917 statement by the British supporting the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. It was organized in partnership with FIU's  Global Jewish and Middle East studies programs, the Consulate General of the United Kingdom and the American Jewish Committee.

There were also tributes in London, Jerusalem and New York City, and there were demonstrations against the Balfour Declaration in every major West Bank city, including Ramallah, where the New York Times reported Fatah youth shouted "Balfour falls" and "We will not give up our right to exist." 

The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and British Prime Minister Theresa May commemorated the anniversary at a gala dinner in London. During her speech, May called for a "renewed resolve to support a lasting peace." Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories remain a topic of discussion among the two leaders.

Lior Haiat, the consul general of Israel in Miami, was at a celebration with El Al Israel Airlines on Thursday night at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach. He said the event at the museum will be rescheduled.

"The most important thing is that not to put anyone at risk just for an event," Haiat said. 


About the Authors:

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

Louis Aguirre is an Emmy-award winning journalist who anchors weekday newscasts and serves as WPLG Local 10’s Environmental Advocate.