Threat posted to social media prompts swift Hialeah, MDC and police response
HIALEAH — A 21-year-old man was arrested Monday after authorities say he posted a social-media message threatening students and staff at Miami Dade College’s Hialeah Campus, 1780 West 49th Street.
According to an arrest report released by law enforcement, the Instagram post read, “everyone at MDC dies today.” Police identified the account owner as Jose Santos, 21, and detained him on a charge of written threats to kill or do bodily injury. Records show he was booked into jail and was expected to appear in bond court the following day.
"The safety and security of our students, faculty and staff is our highest priority. Miami Dade College takes any threat against our College community extremely seriously," the college said in a statement. "Upon learning of a threatening social media post involving the College, MDC Public Safety immediately contacted and worked closely with the Hialeah Police Department. Law enforcement responded swiftly and took the individual into custody."
Hialeah police said detectives determined the post amounted to an improperly sent electronic record that threatened a mass act of terrorism. The investigation began after a person provided authorities with a screenshot of the Instagram post, the report stated.
Campus reaction and coordination with law enforcement
Miami Dade College officials moved quickly to involve campus public-safety personnel and local police, the statement said. There was no indication in the release that the threat was connected to any wider plot or that weapons had been found; the focus, officials said, was the origin of the online message and the safety of the campus community.
- Location: Miami Dade College, Hialeah Campus, 1780 West 49th Street
- Suspect: Jose Santos, 21
- Charge: Written threats to kill or do bodily injury; alleged electronic threat of a mass act of terrorism
Authorities did not release additional details about the suspect’s motive or any ties to the campus. Attorney information for Santos was not listed in the arrest report.
What Hialeah students and residents should know
Instances of threatening language on social media have prompted heightened attention nationwide to how schools and law enforcement respond. In this case, Hialeah police and MDC Public Safety moved to verify the threat, identify the account owner and take swift action to remove the immediate risk to the campus community.
Officials have emphasized that prompt reporting—by students, staff or members of the public—is a key step in preventing harm. The arrest follows the recent academic calendar period when campuses typically prepare for new and returning students, increasing the urgency of rapid response to potential threats.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Reported post | "everyone at MDC dies today" (alleged Instagram post) |
| Responding agencies | MDC Public Safety, Hialeah Police Department |
| Arrest status | Suspect booked into jail; bond court appearance expected next day |
College and law-enforcement spokespeople reiterated that student safety remains their top priority. The college’s public statement noted cooperation with the Hialeah Police Department had enabled a swift resolution to the immediate threat.
Members of the Hialeah community who became aware of the post or who have information related to the incident were urged to contact law enforcement. No further details about any follow-up investigation or potential charges beyond the written-threat count were disclosed in the arrest report.
WE NEWS will continue to monitor court records and police updates as the case proceeds through the judicial process and will report any additional verified information affecting campus safety in Hialeah.
