Racially charged graffiti was found Friday in a restroom stall at the Palo Verde East dorm on Arizona State University’s Tempe campus, according to ASU police. The message, referencing the 2016 presidential election and the Ku Klux Klan, prompted an investigation after students posted photos on social media, officials said.
The graffiti, which included a racial slur and threats of violence, was discovered in a restroom stall at the Palo Verde East dormitory on ASU’s Tempe campus. The vandalism was reported on Friday, shortly after the 2016 U.S. presidential election, prompting an investigation by the Arizona State University Police Department (ASUPD).
The message read, “We don’t want you N—-rs here get tf (sic) out before we kill you. #Trump2016 KKK,” according to photos posted by multiple ASU students on social media.
ASUPD Sgt. Joseph Morel confirmed the department launched an investigation into the racially charged graffiti threat but declined to provide further details. The graffiti had been written in marker and was removed by the time reporters arrived at the scene, officials said. No arrests or suspect identifications have been reported in connection with the vandalism, and there has been no official statement from Tempe Police regarding the incident. The investigation was initiated after students alerted authorities through social media posts, according to ASUPD.
The Palo Verde East dorm is a residential hall located on ASU’s Tempe campus. The graffiti’s reference to the Ku Klux Klan and the 2016 presidential election places the incident within a context of post-election racial tensions, officials noted. The message was classified by ASU police as a racially charged threat targeting Black individuals. The State Press, ASU’s student newspaper, first reported the incident in November 2016.
In a related but separate incident, ASU Police arrested four suspects in connection with a brutal assault that took place on September 27 in the Hassayampa Academic Village dorms. The victim, an 18-year-old male, was hospitalized with a broken nose, cuts, and head injuries after an argument inside the dorm escalated to a beating outside near Apache Boulevard and McAllister Avenue. Surveillance video captured a group holding down and “stomp kicking” the victim. ASU Police confirmed none of those involved were students, and the assault was not designated as a hate crime.
The suspects arrested in the assault are Donnell Young, 18; Jayden Smith, 19; Justin Otis, 18; and one juvenile. A fifth suspect was still being sought by ASU Police at the time of reporting. Justin Otis is the son of Maricopa County prosecutor Erin Otis. The three adult suspects were booked on aggravated assault charges with $10,000 bonds each. Initial court appearances were held on October 31. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office stated the case was submitted to the Coconino County Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Separately, Tempe Police have been investigating vandalism of a 15-foot Ramadan crescent moon display on “A” Mountain, which was built by ASU students. The display was found destroyed, and the incident was described as vandalism of a student group’s religious installation. There has been no reported connection between this vandalism and the graffiti incident or the dorm assault. Tempe Police are leading the investigation into the Ramadan display vandalism, while ASU Police are handling the campus dorm incidents.
ASU Police have not released additional information on the graffiti investigation, and no further official statements have been made regarding motives or suspects. The university continues to monitor the situation as the investigation proceeds.
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