Anti-Semitic grafitti found at Annandale High School
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| Grafitti on the trailers have been painted over. |
The following report is based
on an article in the A-Blast, the Annandale High School student newspaper, by In-Depth
Editor Suad Mohamed, a junior.
on an article in the A-Blast, the Annandale High School student newspaper, by In-Depth
Editor Suad Mohamed, a junior.
When
students arrived to school today, the first thing that they saw was security
surrounding nearly every entrance as they attempted to cover up vandalized
exterior walls, doors, and windows.
students arrived to school today, the first thing that they saw was security
surrounding nearly every entrance as they attempted to cover up vandalized
exterior walls, doors, and windows.
Paint was used to
draw phalluses, derogatory terms, and even a swastika around the back of the
building. Additionally, there were remarks directed at certain administrators
and teachers.
draw phalluses, derogatory terms, and even a swastika around the back of the
building. Additionally, there were remarks directed at certain administrators
and teachers.
“The suspects
targeted the jock lobby, the loading dock between the gym and the cafeteria.
There were drawings near four other entrances, three trailers, and the
modulars. They even painted things on my parking space,” Student Resource
Officer David Curcio said.
targeted the jock lobby, the loading dock between the gym and the cafeteria.
There were drawings near four other entrances, three trailers, and the
modulars. They even painted things on my parking space,” Student Resource
Officer David Curcio said.
The security team
watched security camera footage and determined there were three suspects and
that the vandalism happened between 1:45 a.m. and 2:30 a.m.
“They were wearing
black clothing. Two of them had jeans on with black sweatshirts, and one was
wearing Adidas track pants. They all had their faces covered, so it’s hard to
determine who they are,” Curcio said.
black clothing. Two of them had jeans on with black sweatshirts, and one was
wearing Adidas track pants. They all had their faces covered, so it’s hard to
determine who they are,” Curcio said.
There is a
possibility that the vandalism here might be connected to similar situations at
other schools in the area. There was a similar incident at Edison High School
10 days ago.
possibility that the vandalism here might be connected to similar situations at
other schools in the area. There was a similar incident at Edison High School
10 days ago.
“We’re not sure as
to the motive and why they targeted Annandale,” Curcio said. “Some of the
painting and the writing look similar, and one of the suspects was wearing a
distinctive hoodie at both crimes. We’re thinking they could be linked because
of that.”
to the motive and why they targeted Annandale,” Curcio said. “Some of the
painting and the writing look similar, and one of the suspects was wearing a
distinctive hoodie at both crimes. We’re thinking they could be linked because
of that.”
While students were
shocked to see references to terror organizations and gangs, security believes
that there is no connection and that the symbols were used as a red herring.
shocked to see references to terror organizations and gangs, security believes
that there is no connection and that the symbols were used as a red herring.
“We don’t believe or
have any information to support that it was done by a hate group or that the
vandalism was done by neo-Nazis or white supremacists. There was a reference to
the Eastside Crips, too, so I think that maybe they were trying to throw a lot
of derogatory and nasty stuff out there to deflect from who they are,” Curcio
said.
have any information to support that it was done by a hate group or that the
vandalism was done by neo-Nazis or white supremacists. There was a reference to
the Eastside Crips, too, so I think that maybe they were trying to throw a lot
of derogatory and nasty stuff out there to deflect from who they are,” Curcio
said.
Because of this, it
is believed that the drawings were placed around the school as a way to stage a
spectacle or to retaliate against the school administration.
is believed that the drawings were placed around the school as a way to stage a
spectacle or to retaliate against the school administration.
“They were meant to alarm the
community here and to cause exactly what it did – students taking pictures and
talking about it. It’s probably a disgruntled current or former student who
dealt with the administrators that the attacks were directed towards,” Curcio
said.
community here and to cause exactly what it did – students taking pictures and
talking about it. It’s probably a disgruntled current or former student who
dealt with the administrators that the attacks were directed towards,” Curcio
said.
The security team will
submit information about the vandalism to the Fairfax County Police Department.
submit information about the vandalism to the Fairfax County Police Department.
“This case and the
main investigative responsibility will be turned over to the detectives at the
West Springfield Station. We may consult with the Gang Unit because of the
white supremacy and gang overtones. We will also reach out to the detective
working at Edison,” Curcio said.
main investigative responsibility will be turned over to the detectives at the
West Springfield Station. We may consult with the Gang Unit because of the
white supremacy and gang overtones. We will also reach out to the detective
working at Edison,” Curcio said.
Other police
officers and schools in the area will also receive footage of the crime in the
hopes that someone else might have information regarding the suspects’
identity.
officers and schools in the area will also receive footage of the crime in the
hopes that someone else might have information regarding the suspects’
identity.
The surveillance
videos are not being made available to the public, and the graffiti has been
painted over.
videos are not being made available to the public, and the graffiti has been
painted over.