'Abhorrent Behavior': Marblehead 15-Year-Old Charged In 'Hateful' School Graffiti Incidents

MARBLEHEAD, MA — A 15-year-old Marblehead High student is facing vandalism and civil rights violation charges after being accused of tagging school property with what police called "hateful" graffiti earlier this week.

Police said the graffiti included a racial slur and antisemitic symbols.

Police said school administration notified law enforcement and school resource officer Sean Sweeney investigated the incident that were found on Monday and Tuesday, and that he identified the student believed to have been involved.

The graffiti was the work of one student, according to police.

The Marblehead Police Department notified the Anti-Defamation League and local community leaders to "help prepare for any follow up actions as a town that may be needed."

The student charged was set to appear in Salem Juvenile Court at a later date.

Because of the suspect's age, his identity was not released.

"The cooperation between the School and Police Department makes a great difference when dealing with this type of abhorrent behavior," Marblehead Police Dennis King said. "We could not have identified a suspect so quickly without such a strong relationship.

"There is no place in Marblehead for hate of any kind, especially in our schools, and we are taking this incident very seriously."