Police Increase School Patrols in Response to Graffiti

Despite that coated buildings indicating a mass killing on May 14, school will be in session on Monday.

The threat first surfaced in April when staff found the phrases “I'M GONNA KILL EVERYONE HERE 5-14-12," followed by "OFWGKTA" painted bright yellow on the outside of a school building.

Still, no arrests have been made in the case and the investigation is ongoing, police said.

“All viable leads have been followed up, but unfortunately they did not lead to a suspect, said Cmdr. Michael Carroll on Thursday.

Parents have also raised concerns about rumors of a violent act planned for May 14 at that began circling.

However, Newark Junior High School Principal Mark E. Neal said those rumors began after junior high students learned about the graffiti at the high school.

Neal said after conversations with Newark Memorial High’s administrators they have come to believe the graffiti might have been a promotional stunt.

The acronym “OFWGKTA” stands for Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, a Los Angles-based rap group headed by rapper Tyler, the Creator.

Tyler, the Creator - whose songs often include violent lyrics - is said to be releasing his new album Wolf on Monday and Neal noted that school administrators learned that similar graffiti was found at other school campuses throughout the region.

Superintendent of Schools Dave Marken also emphasized that while the graffiti was threatening, school officials analyzed the "level of credibility" of the incident.

"The fact that it was on April 1 [April Fool's Day], the fact that it's a name of a band and. ...we're not going to go overboard," Marken said.

The graffiti that appeared in April throughout the high school campus, though, did not just contain seemingly threatening phrases.

Symbols and words ranged from “rude to crude to a funny face,” said Marken, who added school staff found happy faces, religious crosses and an image of male genitals painted on the campus’ buildings and trees.

"We're going to have our eyes alert," he added. "We have to take it seriously, but we cannot shut down school."

Additionally, Carroll said extra patrol officers will be in put in place around the schools on Monday.

“The school and the police department have taken … threat[s of] violence at the schools seriously,” Carroll said.

Anyone with information about any crime is asked to contact Newark Police Department's non-emergency line at 510-578-4237 or via the Silent Witness Hotline at 510-578-4000, Ext. 500.

Follow the Newark Police Department at nixle.com.

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