Mercer Island police identify suspects in middle school vandalism, hate crime
Jan 10, 2025, 4:50 PM | Updated: Jan 11, 2025, 12:04 pm
Two teenage boys who police say are responsible for vandalizing a Mercer Island middle school with anti-Semitic and offensive graffiti will now participate in a court-ordered "diversion program."(Photo: Mercer Island Police Dept.)
(Photo: Mercer Island Police Dept.)
The Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD) says it has now identified two suspects accused of racist vandalism at Islander Middle School.
On New Year’s Day, the suspects allegedly trespassed on school grounds and defaced numerous windows and exterior walls with antisemitic and racist symbols and phrases.
Police on Friday released a report with photos and descriptions of the suspects.
MIPD stated during the crime, one of the suspects was wearing a black balaclava covering his nose and mouth, camouflaged pants and a distinctive jacket manufactured by PacSun. The jacket is listed as a “Paradise Varsity Bomber Jacket.”
The department said during the crime, the other suspect was wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt, dark colored sweatpants and had either a red face mask or bandana over his nose and mouth.
In the meantime, officers have been documenting the damage and Mercer Island School District staff have been removing the graffiti. The school district and police department are working collaboratively throughout the investigation.
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In a joint statement from Mercer Island community leaders issued on January 2:
“This abhorrent act of hate is not only a violation of our community’s shared values, but an attack on the principles of inclusion, respect, and safety that we work every day to uphold in our community. As school superintendent, school principals, city manager and chief of police of Mercer Island, we condemn this hateful antisemitic and racist act.”
As leaders in this community, we are angry, disappointed, and deeply saddened by this incident. Antisemitism, hate, and racism in any form have no place in our schools, our city, or anywhere in our society. We are committed to holding those responsible accountable for their actions and ensuring that IMS – and all Mercer Island schools – remain spaces where every student and family feels safe, valued and respected.”
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This story was originally published on January 6, 2025. It has been updated and republished since then.
Bill Kaczaraba is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read his stories here. Follow Bill on X, formerly known as Twitter, here and email him here.
Julia Dallas is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read her stories here. Follow Julia on X and email her here.
