Bethesda's Walt Whitman High School became the target of hate/bias vandalism last week, prompting local law enforcement to request the help of the community in identifying those responsible for the anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian messages spray-painted onto the school's exterior. The Montgomery County Department of Police is leading the investigation into the incident that took place last Friday.
An officer assigned to the school discovered the defaced property, as reported on the Montgomery County Police Department's press release. In response to the incident, the Victims' Rights Foundation has increased the reward by $2,000 for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of the suspects, with the total reward now potentially reaching up to $10,000.
While currently no descriptions of the suspects are available, surveillance footage captured several individuals making their escape towards the school's football field around 2:31 a.m. The police are urging anyone with knowledge about the suspects' identities or the crime itself to come forward with tips, which can be left anonymously via Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, MD at their website, or by calling 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).
The hateful graffiti was promptly covered up, but the school has stated that a professional removal will be necessary to fully restore the defaced surfaces.
