Philip Simmons school bus vandalized with swastika, deemed not a hate crime

An act of vandalism at Philip Simmons High School, including a swastika and other racially offensive symbols spray-painted on a school bus, has raised concerns among parents, although authorities said the act does not legally qualify as a hate crime.

 

In the early hours of July 26, Charleston Police said three suspects broke into the school’s maintenance building near the athletic fields, stole orange spray paint, and defaced several areas on campus. Graffiti was found on a basketball rebounder, sidewalks, and multiple school buses. One bus seat was marked with a swastika alongside other racially offensive images and phallic symbols.

 

Police said the suspects painted over surveillance cameras inside the buses to avoid identification. Other footage captured their exit from the property around 3 a.m., and investigators continue reviewing the video. 

 

Sgt. Chris Stinson, the police department’s public information officer, said there have been no arrests, and it’s unknown whether the suspects are students. He also noted that no similar incidents have been reported at nearby schools.

 

Stinson went on to address the question of whether the incident constitutes a hate crime, explaining the legal nuances.

 

“There’s technically no such thing as hate crime legislation in South Carolina,” he said. “There is a city hate bias statute, but that can only be applied to a person, not an organization, or in this case, a building. We understand that this could have been motivated by hate and bias, and we’ll know more once we identify the suspects. But just from a legal, technical standpoint, we cannot say that it is a hate crime.”

 

Katie Tanner, chief communications officer for Berkeley County School District, said the district is cooperating with investigators. 

“Cleanup of the vandalism has been completed, and there has been no disruption to school operations, as students had not yet returned and the incident occurred outside school hours,” Tanner said.

 

Melanie Hart, whose daughter attends the high school, said the incident has made her concerned. 

 

“It’s scary to know that something so hateful happened right where our kids learn and play. It makes me wonder where such young minds learn to be so full of hate and disrespect,” she said.

 

Another Daniel Island parent, Greg Miller, said, “It’s concerning that someone would target the school like this, especially with classes starting back up. We want to feel safe sending our kids back. I just want to know who’s responsible and what steps are being taken to keep the campus safe.”

 

The investigation remains active, and authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Charleston Police at 843-720-2422 or submit anonymous tips at charleston-sc.gov/tips.