The AU police department has released two videos depicting a person of interest in the “racially motivated hate crime” that occurred Monday morning, according to a memo released by AU police on Tuesday. The crime targeted black women and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, a historically African-American sorority.
The department is offering a $1,000 reward for anyone who can provide “information leading to positive suspect identification,” the memo said. University officials did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication.
The videos show an individual traveling from outside the Mary Graydon Center to the Letts-Anderson Hall shuttle stop between 3:45 a.m. and 4:10 a.m. The individual hung bananas with nooses at various locations on campus, including the East Quad Building, the Letts-Anderson shuttle stop and the Mary Graydon Center, according to the memo.
The person of interest was seen wearing a black long sleeve shirt and black pants and was possibly wearing a hat or mask, the memo said. After traveling from the quad to the shuttle stop on the south end of campus, the subject may have also entered into a white or silver sedan by Rockwood Parkway, according to the release.
Additional photographs and video may be released as the investigation continues, the memo said. AU police are encouraging anyone with information regarding the identity of the subject to contact the department at 202-885-2527 or to submit an anonymous tip online. If community members see the person of interest on campus, they are encouraged to call AU police’s emergency line at 202-885-3636.
