The American University Police Department identified a suspect who was later arrested in connection to a second instance of vandalism that occurred Wednesday morning on the American University sign on Ward Circle, according to an email from Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Treasurer Bronté Burleigh-Jones.
Burleigh-Jones said AUPD identified a suspect by the early afternoon, and at 5 p.m. on Oct. 30, “a graduate student was arrested.”
“I want to thank AUPD and the facilities team for their swift and effective response to this matter,” Burleigh-Jones said in the email. “Every day, they are dedicated to our safety and well-being.”
Burleigh-Jones said AUPD “immediately launched an investigation” after learning of the vandalism. The sign was restored by 8:45 a.m. on Oct. 30, according to the email. The sign appeared to have been vandalized to say “Free Gaza” and other unintelligible messages.
The student arrested will be “charged under DC law with destruction of property and subject to university conduct actions as outlined in the student conduct code,” according to Burleigh-Jones.
This is the second act of vandalism to University signage with pro-Palestinian messaging in the past month.
Assistant Vice President and Deputy Chief Communications Officer Elizabeth Deal addressed three instances of vandalism in recent weeks involving the University communities in a statement to The Eagle, including both instances of graffiti and the discovered burnt Palestinian flag on campus.
“In Wednesday’s graffiti case, AUPD quickly identified and arrested a suspect, allowing us to resolve the matter swiftly and provide a full update the community,” Deal wrote. “The first graffiti incident is still under review, while the flag burning occurred off-campus (not on East Campus) and it is outside AU’s jurisdiction. Our priority remains maintaining a safe, inclusive campus, and supporting our community members.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 6:30 p.m. to include a statement from Assistant Vice President and Deputy Chief Communications Officer Elizabeth Deal.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
This article was edited by Connor Sturniolo, Tyler Davis and Abigail Turner. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks.
