DPS Arrests Suspect in Recent Graffiti Incidents
A suspect was apprehended last week in a series of graffiti incidents that have taken place on campus since late January, according to an entry in the Department of Public Safety’s online daily crime log for April.
According to the log, the suspect is a Georgetown student and was arrested by DPS in Copley Hall at approximately 12:58 a.m. on April 9.
The student was found in possession of spray paint. “[The student was] charged with a series of recent graffiti incidents, including the Lady of Fatima defacing,” the log states.
This arrest follows at least 18 incidents of on-campus graffiti that have been reported in the DPS daily crime logs since Jan. 28, including the two defacements of the two defacements of the Lady of Fatima(Blessed Mother) statue on Copley Lawn, the incident with the Jan Karski statue which sits outside of White-Gravenor Hall, and an April 2 report of an American flag that was spray painted outside of Village A. Several incidents of possible Nazi-related symbols being painted on campus and nearby property have also been reported by The Hoya in recent weeks, many of which are included in the daily crime log reports. It is not clear with which and how many of these incidents the suspect has been charged.
According to the entry in the daily crime log for April 9, this case is still under investigation.
The Department of Public Safety could not be reached for comment.
Read more: "DPS Arrests Suspect in Recent Graffiti Incidents | The Hoya."
Apr 09 2009 at 11:04 p.m.
So, defenders o' Wu, you think we should grant clemency to this poor, misguided soul, too?
Apr 10 2009 at 4:39 a.m.
While he may very well be guilty, let's all remember that he may also be innocent and DPS may have the wrong kid, or he may only be responsible for some of the events. Don't go all lynch-mob on this kid without confirmation, please!
Apr 10 2009 at 10:40 a.m.
If there is enough evidence to connect him with one act of vandalism on campus, he should be expelled.
We were all attracted to Georgetown because it was a select institution. Because acceptance here would reward our efforts prior, and bring us together with other people who have worked and sacrificed to succeed in various areas of pursuit.
If proven guilty, he is not Georgetown material.
Georgetown's history of clemency on these sorts of failures undermines us as a university. I hope they take a stand this time.
Congratulations DOPS. Job well done.
Saxon Gillis
Apr 10 2009 at 10:04 p.m.
Kudos to The Hoya for not leaking the identity of the possible suspect. Last year, The Hoya jumped the gun and released the name of the suspect accused of beating up a homosexual student, even though the evidence linking the suspect to the crime was nominal. As one commenter already noted, this person might be innocent. But, if this person is found guilty, he/she should be expelled.
Apr 10 2009 at 10:08 p.m.
^ We demand journalistic integrity of the paper, especially given the recent April Fools Issue, but at the same time we don't want the Hoya to release the name of potential suspects, unlike other newspapers? I understand part of your argument, especially given what happened last year, but the HOYA should not be the one to moderate campus discussion.
Apr 10 2009 at 10:19 p.m.
I'm sure the only reason The Hoya hasn't reported the suspect's name is that they don't know it. It is common accepted journalistic practice for newspapers to print the name of someone who has been arrested, and it is always been The Hoya's policy to follow the industry standard in this regard. The online DPS report cited in this article does not identify the suspect.
Apr 11 2009 at 5:30 p.m.
Brian you're such a boy scout. Seriously
Apr 12 2009 at 12:59 a.m.
Look at the Crime Log!
Apr 14 2009 at 5:39 a.m.
Of all the comments to go about deleting, I can't believe you decided to delete the ones by the King of Georgetown, the Baron of the East, and the third dude calling for a celebration of the greatness of the DPS with a Star Wars Style Grand Ceremony, Tigers, and Two Semi-Popular Bands.
Racist comments? By all means. Vulgarities? Certainly. Revelations of confidential information in a public setting? Please proceed--we at the Hoya in fact encourage such behavior. But party planning? Forbidden!
Lame.
Apr 14 2009 at 7:23 p.m.
YEAH. WHAT A DISGRACE.