HOWARD COUNTY, Md. – Four students are in police custody Thursday after Glenelg High School officials said they put racial, anti-Semitic, racist and anti-LGBTQ graffiti on school property.
The graffiti was found on the walls and sidewalks of the school overnight.
The school superintendent said the district denounces any hate and said the school's African American principal was a target.
Seth Taylor, 18, Tyler Curtiss, 18, and Joshua Shaffer, 18, were taken into custody at the school Thursday morning. Matthew Lipp, 18, was picked up by police at his home.
All four have been charged with multiple counts of destruction of property based on race, color, religious belief, sexual orientation, or national origin.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano issued the following statement Thursday:
I was deeply troubled and disheartened to have learned this morning that Glenelg High School was vandalized overnight with graffiti that is hateful and sickening. Howard County Police were immediately notified and an investigation is underway. Make no mistake, this is a hate crime against so many of our communities and goes completely against the values we share as a community. It is completely unacceptable and actions of this nature will not be tolerated in Howard County.
I know that many students and staff were troubled upon arriving at school this morning and we are providing the necessary supports for anybody who needs them.
Today at noon, I will meet with members of the media to help amplify these words and denounce the actions that took place overnight at Glenelg High School. I ask all of Howard County today to join me in an effort to help our community heal. Be assured that individuals responsible for these acts will be held accountable.
