SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Two teens were arrested in connection with racist graffiti discovered along a wall at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in mid-February, officials announced Monday.
The graffiti, which included swastikas and the letters "KKK," had been spray-painted on the campus during the 2022 Abraham Lincoln’s birthday observance.
The teens, both 14-years-old, had caused more than $400 in damage, which is the threshold for felony vandalism, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department said.
Investigators used video surveillance footage showing the teens on campus during the same time the vandalism is believed to have happened.
Both teens attend nearby George Washington Carver High School, officials said.
"While the identification of those involved provides some closure, the impact of racist acts leaves lasting hurt for our students, staff and community," said Sacramento City Unified School District Superintendent Jorge A. Aguilar in a prepared statement.
"Sac City Unified will continue to support our students, staff and families at Lincoln Elementary in the wake of this incident, and work with our entire community to interrupt and address racism. We are committed to building an equitable and positive culture and climate that supports success for all students at every school in our district,"
This racist graffiti incident is just one of several that have been recently reported within the Sacramento City Unified School District.
In an effort to address racism within its system, the district hired attorney Mark T. Harris at the beginning of this year as the first racism liaison.
In early February, district officials said that an investigation was underway after water fountains at McClatchy High School were labeled "Colored" and "White." A Black McClatchy student later confessed, saying she thought it was a "prank," Harris said.
Last June, a seventh-grade teacher at Kit Carson International Academy was caught on video using a racial slur in front of her classroom. The district said it was moving toward firing that teacher in late January.
In November, the same derogatory slur was found on West Campus High School, written multiple times near Vice-Principal Elysse Versher’s parking spot. The investigation into this incident remains active.