BLOOMINGTON — An Indiana University student is facing a Level 6 felony charge after allegedly telling fellow students in his dormitory that he had a bomb in the building’s elevator.
Hamish Sievers-Banks, an IU student, was charged with intimidation, a Level 6 felony, for making a threat to commit a forcible felony. The charge stems from an incident on the evening of October 30 at the university’s Forest Quad dormitory.
IU Police officers responded to the scene just before 9:30 p.m. after receiving reports from multiple students who heard a male voice in the elevator shouting, “I have a bomb.” The statement caused alarm among students, prompting a swift response from campus law enforcement.
IU Police quickly identified the individual as Hamish Sievers-Banks and located him a short time later. An IUPD explosive detection K9 was deployed to search the dormitory to ensure safety. No explosive devices were found during the search, and authorities confirmed there was no immediate threat to campus.
Sievers-Banks was arrested and later posted a $1,000 cash bond. He waived his initial hearing before the Monroe County Circuit Court on November 1. He is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on December 19, and a jury trial has been set for March 24, 2025.
While the threat was determined to be a false alarm, the incident highlights the serious nature of bomb threats, especially in a university setting, where such statements can cause widespread fear and disrupt campus life.
IU Public Safety reminds students and staff that making threats of violence, even if not intended to be taken seriously, is a criminal offense and will be met with swift legal action.
Sievers-Banks is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
