By: Richard L. Smith
A 26-year-old Jersey City man has been charged after authorities say he sent a threatening text message to 911 during a FIFA World Cup match at MetLife Stadium, prompting a major law enforcement response.
According to court documents, Amar Ramkissoon was inside the neighboring American Dream Mall on Sunday afternoon when he allegedly sent a text message to 911 shortly after the Brazil-Norway match began.
The message read: “FIFA, I’LL HAVE AMAR BLOW IT UP ALL HUMANS WILL DIE.”
The threat triggered an immediate response from Bergen County Communications, which alerted the New Jersey State Police.
Investigators traced the phone number and determined the device was associated with a gray Nissan registered to Ramkissoon.
Jersey City police later stopped the vehicle, but Ramkissoon was not inside. The driver told officers the two had switched vehicles. Authorities searched the Nissan but found no explosives.
Investigators also executed a search warrant at Ramkissoon’s Danforth Avenue home in Jersey City, where no explosive devices were discovered.
State Police said Ramkissoon was arrested and charged with terroristic threats and causing a false public alarm. Court records allege he admitted to sending the threatening messages, knowing they were false and likely to cause the evacuation of MetLife Stadium, where more than 80,000 fans were attending the match.
Authorities also charged a second individual in connection with the investigation.
Breanna Rampersad was charged with hindering apprehension and tampering with evidence.
According to court documents, she admitted to deleting text messages from Ramkissoon and helping conceal the phone used to send the threats.
Rampersad was released on a summons pending a future court appearance. State Police did not disclose her age or hometown.
No injuries were reported, and authorities said no explosives were found during the investigation.