2 More Teens Tied To Arlington HS Hate Graffiti: Police

ARLINGTON, MA – Police have identified the Arlington High School students they believe to be responsible for anti-Semitic and homophobic graffiti found last week. Officers responded to Arlington High School around 5:40 a.m. on Wednesday, May 2 for report of property damage and graffiti, according to a joint statement Tuesday night from Arlington Police Chief Frederick Ryan and Superintendent Kathleen Bodie.

"Several fire extinguishers had been used and damaged, and there was damage to vending machines, display cases, and an emergency defibrillator inside the school," the statement read. "Spray paint was also used inside and outside of the school. A swastika and anti-gay slurs were painted outside of the building."

Arlington LGBTQIA+ Rainbow Commission Vice Chair Mel Goldsipe said on Friday 12 people were identified in connection with the incident. As of Tuesday night, investigators believe 14 teenage boys broke into the school and are responsible for the damage.

They will be disciplined in a manner "that is consistent with the school district's code of conduct and values as a community," according to the statement.

"These actions represent a terrible breach of the peace and harmony we seek to instill as a welcoming, tolerant, and safe community," Bodie said. "Whether these students intended to or not, their words and actions are hateful and hurtful, and we must respond appropriately."

Arlington Public Schools and the police department are consulting with the Arlington Human Rights and the Arlington LGBTQIA+ Rainbow Commission to determine the best response.

"This is a serious situation, and it requires a holistic and deliberative approach to find the correct solution that addresses the wrong and repairs the breach to the community," Ryan said. "This is an incident that has been taken seriously by our officers from the start."

Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch