Pitt Student Waives Hearing on Bomb Threat Charges
Eden Schwartz's attorney filed to waive the preliminary hearing, sending both charges to the Court of Common Pleas.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in College Applications
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Pitt sophomore Eden Schwartz waived her preliminary hearing on charges of terroristic threats and threats to use weapons of mass destruction, Tuesday, Nov. 4. Both charges were waived to the Court of Common Pleas, and no evidence was presented at the hearing.
Why it matters
The case stems from an alleged threat posted to Schwartz's Instagram story that targeted Pitt's statistics department and led to the evacuation of Posvar Hall. For Pittsburgh residents and university students, the case shows how a social media post can trigger a campus evacuation and criminal charges.
Both charges were waived to the Court of Common Pleas after Schwartz's attorney, Chris Capozzi, filed to waive the preliminary hearing. Formal arraignment is scheduled for Dec. 21, and it is not yet known how Schwartz will plead.
The players
Eden Schwartz
A sophomore criminal justice major at the University of Pittsburgh who is charged with terroristic threats and threats to use weapons of mass destruction.
Chris Capozzi
The attorney representing Eden Schwartz, who filed to waive the preliminary hearing on her behalf.
University of Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh university whose statistics department was named in the alleged threat and whose internal student conduct process Schwartz will undergo.
The details
Schwartz allegedly posted the threat on her Instagram story, and Posvar Hall was evacuated as a result. K9 units from multiple law enforcement agencies later cleared the building. Her bail terms were amended so she may attend administrative proceedings, while a no-contact order with Pitt was adjusted to allow her to undergo the university's internal student conduct process.
Timeline
Oct. 20: Schwartz was arrested after allegedly posting the bomb threat.
Oct. 21: Preliminary arraignment was held and original bail terms were set.
Tuesday, Nov. 4: Schwartz waived her preliminary hearing and bail terms were amended.
Dec. 21: Formal arraignment is scheduled, when Schwartz will enter a plea.
Legal Context
Threats posted on social media that prompt campus evacuations are increasingly charged as terroristic threats under Pennsylvania law, which carries felony exposure. The Schwartz case follows this pattern, with charges moving to the Court of Common Pleas after the preliminary hearing was waived.
Students and staff at Pitt may see continued enforcement around campus threat reporting, and the Posvar Hall evacuation shows how a single post can disrupt daily campus routines. Residents of Pittsburgh should note that threats made online can result in felony charges.
The takeaway
Threats posted online, even in a personal story, can lead to evacuations, felony charges, and university discipline. Students should treat any post referencing violence as a serious legal matter.
What happens next
Schwartz's formal arraignment is scheduled for Dec. 21, when she is expected to enter a plea.
Further reading
For more on university life and student policy, explore our College Applications coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Pitt News.
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