FBI denies comment in ongoing campus hate investigation
EC student Shawndell Young shares words of courage during a November 14 campus unity event held in response to recent hate incidents at Elmhurst College. Photo by Lexi Holmes
The FBI has not commented on their investigation into the recent incidents of hate and shooting threats on campus.
Although the FBI could not confirm their involvement, Elmhurst College officials verified that the FBI is investigating the vandalism and graffiti that prompted the school to close down for two days in October.
President Troy VanAken sent out a campus wide email on October 27 where he announced that EC would be closed October 28 following the discovery of a shooting threat in a bathroom at the A.C. Buehler Library.
The college closed for a second day on October 29 after the discovery of more vandalism inside a dorm hall.
Both of these school closings came after back-to-back incidents of homophobic messages, racial slurs, and a shooting threat were found in the 2nd floor of Niebuhr Hall the week prior.
Investigations have been ongoing, and the FBI denied comment about the current state of the investigation.
“Department of Justice policy prohibits the FBI from commenting on the existence or non-existence of any investigation that may be occurring,” said Siobahn Johnson, public affairs officer for the FBI.
