ANDOVER, MASS. (WHDH) - Police and school officials are investigating after three swastikas were found drawn on school desks at Andover High School just hours before the start of Hanukkah.
Officials said thee drawings were found in a Jewish teacher’s classroom on Tuesday afternoon, escalating the incident to a hate crime.
“This was something that was being repeated and something that we had to confront,” Superintendent Sheldon Berman said. “We’re taking this extraordinarily seriously.”
The person who committed the act could face felony hate crime charges, according to police.
“This is a very hurtful thing,” Berman said.
The incident marks the third time in recent months that swastikas were found inside the high school.
“It’s terrible. Hopefully people can rise above because it’s the holiday season. This is not Andover,” a concerned parent told 7News.
In Brockton, a student was removed after a swastika and pro-Hitler message was found earlier this week.
“Ultimately, it is an assault on the values that we cherish,” Rabbi Robert Goldstein said.
School officials said they are going to hold a forum with religious leaders to help educate students.
An investigation is ongoing.
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