MIPD seeks community assistance in identifying vandalism suspects

Mercer Island Deputy Mayor David Rosenbaum said the recent act of vandalism at Islander Middle School (IMS) is not welcome in society and has no place in this close-knit community.

“Obviously, the minimum, it’s vandalism. At its worst, it’s horrible. It’s intimidation, it’s racism, it’s awful,” he said at the close of the Jan. 7 Mercer Island City Council meeting.

On Jan. 3, five Island community leaders issued a joint statement regarding individuals who trespassed onto the IMS grounds that week and scrawled antisemitic and racist symbols and phrases on numerous windows and exterior walls, as noted in a previous Reporter article. The incident occurred late on the evening of Jan. 1.

On Jan. 10, the city issued a press release noting that the Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD) is asking the public to help identify two suspects in the hate-based vandalism incident that is currently under investigation as a hate crime.

At 8:05 p.m. that night — about three and a half hours after issuing the release — MIPD posted the following information: “Good news! Your many tips have led to both suspects being identified. Detectives will continue working on this case and updates will be provided when available. Thank you to our community for helping aid in this investigation.”

Residents took to the city and MIPD’s Facebook pages and posted numerous comments, including one that praised the police for their work and noted that a united community can achieve anything. Another resident thanked the city and police for taking the case so seriously and that residents feel safer.

According to the police department, “during the crime, suspect one was wearing a black balaclava covering his nose and mouth, camouflaged pants, and a very distinctive jacket manufactured by PacSun. The jacket is listed as ‘Paradise Varsity Bomber Jacket’ and can be seen in the photos. Additional surveillance photos were gathered showing the suspect without face coverings.”

Suspect two “was wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt, dark colored sweatpants, and had either a red face mask or bandana over his nose and mouth. Additional surveillance photos were gathered showing the suspect without face coverings,” the release notes.

MIPD asks anyone who may have information or may recognize these suspects to contact the department by email at mipdtips@mercerisland.gov or by phone at 206-275-7955. Police will follow up on all tips, which will be kept anonymous, and MIPD sincerely appreciates the community’s assistance, the department noted.

“This abhorrent act of hate is not only a violation of our community’s shared values, but an attack on the principles of inclusion, respect and safety that we work every day to uphold in our community,” the Jan. 3 statement read.

Rosenbaum said he appreciates the efforts of MIPD Chief Chris Sutter’s team for investigating the incidents.

“It’s just heartbreaking that this would happen in our community. I think as a community, we have to have these conversations about this. (It’s) just not appropriate,” Rosenbaum said.

“As leaders in this community, we are angry, disappointed, and deeply saddened by this incident. Antisemitism, hate, and racism in any form have no place in our schools, our city, or anywhere in our society,” the Jan. 3 statement reads. “Together, we will work swiftly to identify, discipline, and/or prosecute those responsible for this crime.”