Updated: 2 Pacific Palisades Students Accused of Racist Vandalism

PACIFIC PALISADES- Police today arrested two Palisades Charter High School students allegedly responsible for hate-speech vandalism at their school.

The students were released to the custody of their parents, Los Angeles Police Department Lt. Tina Nieto said. Because they are juveniles, their names will not be released.

Detectives conducted an extensive series of interviews, leading to the arrest of two suspects, police said.

"One was cited for vandalism and released to his parents. The other was cited for conspiracy to commit vandalism and released to his parents. Both of the subjects are current students at Palisades Charter High School," the statement continued.

The investigation has not revealed a credible threat or danger to students or the community.

Graffiti that included swastikas and made references to gays and the KKK was spray-painted on Palisades Charter High School, 15777 Bowdoin St., over the weekend. The vandalism is believed to have been committed about 6 a.m. Sunday.

"The suspects defaced the school's iconic mural, as well as a bus stop, the sidewalk and several trees with spray paint," police said.

The arrests were announced within hours of Councilman Mike Bonin's introduction of a motion to offer a $50,000 reward in the case.

Bonin said whoever was responsible "represents an ongoing threat to the safety of the people of Los Angeles."

Bonin added he was "horrified by the awful, disgusting and offensive hate speech graffiti" left around the school, which serves students from Pacific Palisades, Palisades Highlands, Kenter Canyon and portions of Brentwood.

"We cannot allow hate and intolerance to threaten our neighborhoods and our school children," Bonin said.

Anyone with further information was asked to call detectives at (310) 444-1588.

City News Service