'Are We Next' Spray Painted Outside Wellesley Middle School

WELLESLEY, MA — Students arriving at Wellesley Middle School Tuesday morning were greeted with the bright orange question spray painted onto the sidewalk “ARE WE NEXT,” most likely referencing the Parkland Florida school shooting.

"On March 6, 2018 at 7:38 a.m. officers were dispatched to the Wellesley Middle School to investigate a report of vandalism on the sidewalk. The graffiti read "Are we next" and occurred overnight. The Wellesley Police Department and Wellesley Public Schools are working together to investigate the origin of the graffiti," said the Wellesely Police Department in an emailed statement to Patch.

Police said they've had no reports of similar vandalism at other schools in the community.

Middle School Principal Mark Ito sent out an email to parents and families alerting them and letting them know they were working to remove the message, and that the Wellesley Police department was investigating.

“Right now, we are settling in for our day. We are communicating with staff and students, and ensuring them of their safety. Should you have any information about how the graffiti was generated, please call our WMS Main Office and ask to speak with me or an administrator,” he said in an email just after the graffiti was discovered, the Swellesly Report blogged first.

Wellesley Community members have taken to social media lamenting the message, which appeared less than a month after 17 people were shot and killed in Florida during a school shooting.

"Kids everywhere deserve to feel safe at school," posted one Middle School parent on Twitter.

The graffiti also comes a week before students across the country are expected to take part in a walkout on March 14 to protest gun violence at schools.

Middle School Parent Kelley Tuthill posted a photo of the graffitti Tuesday morning to Twitter:

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Photos via GoogleMaps