Racist and threatening graffiti discovered on SJSU campus

SJSU police investigating violence threat, racist graffiti in bathroom

San Jose State Univ. officials on Wednesday said they're searching for a suspect who wrote a threat of campus violence over three days on a bathroom wall in MacQuarrie Hall. Some classes have been canceled and others switched to on-line as the campus community reacted to the disturbing development.

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Racist graffiti threatening a mass shooting was discovered on the San Jose State University campus, officials said on Tuesday. It's the second time in as many weeks that racist graffiti has been found on the campus.

Racist and violent threats

What we know:

A photo of one of the messages, shared by an unnamed student, showed swastikas scrawled on a wall next to the message, "White comrades, No school 11/21, 11/19, 11/20…" 

The message went on to threaten a mass shooting using antisemitic, anti-Asian and anti-Muslim language and warned students to "stay away from McQ," referencing McQuarrie Hall, where the graffiti was written.

"This is more shocking, because they said it was targeting Asians, Jews and Muslim people, which I found really scary," Josefina De Lat Torre, a student at the university said. "The school is like a ghost town right now, it's (usually) more densely populated. Like, it feels like COVID right now."

School officials are taking the threats seriously and are responding with extra security by increasing police patrols and will monitor social media and other forms of communication. 

"Campus violence is something that we all… I think it's something that we all worry about because we've seen it happen on multiple campuses across the country," Michelle Smith McDonald, the school's senior director of media relations, said. "We have increased the number of cameras that we have on various spots on campus by using some portable camera units. We did a lot of work over the summer with lighting and additional cameras around the main parts of campus."

San Jose State University

The SJSU Police Department sent out a community safety advisory to alert the community that they had responded to multiple instances of graffiti that included hate speech and threats of violence.

"We just want to put more presence out there and also just let the community, the students and also the faculty know exactly what's going on, and if they see anything suspicious, to give us a call," Captain Jermain Thomas of the SJSU Police Department said.

Officials said the graffiti has since been removed. 

Regional violence

Local perspective:

The graffiti was discovered not long after two separate shootings at local schools — the murder of legendary football coach John Beam at Laney College on Nov. 14, and the shooting of a student at Skyline High School on Nov. 12.

University police said the threat at SJSU is considered "low-level" but they are remaining vigilant and encourage others to do the same. If the perpetrator is caught, they face charges of vandalism. Given this assessment, the campus remains open and all classes and activities will go on as scheduled. 

Even so, some teachers sided with safety over in-person instruction, and many students seemed happy to comply.

"I'm actually on my way to my car. I was going to go home," Joi Barker, an SJSU student said. "It's been scary with everything going on, and in light of the country, where we're at right now."

 The university police say the graffiti is not being investigated as a hate crime.

Counseling and psychological services are available to students at https://sjsu.edu/wellness/.

Previous graffiti

SJSU Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Vincent J. Del Casino Jr. said school officials sent out a campus-wide message about racist graffiti that was found on the campus' housing facilities two weeks ago.

"Although we have not identified the individual or individuals responsible, UPD, in collaboration with campus partners, is working to ensure the continued safety and security of our community," Del Casino Jr.'s message said. "Your safety remains our highest priority. We will remain vigilant. Per standard protocol regarding such incidents, the FBI has been notified. Out of an abundance of caution, we also notified the San José Police Department, should we need assistance on campus."

Police said they are actively investigating and monitoring these incidents and are responding with additional patrols. In addition, they said if you see anyone writing or posting similar messages to contact campus police at (408)924-2222.