Staff and students at Venice High School found four vulgar messages spray painted on the side of the building Wednesday morning.
"It certainly elevates to the level of a hate crime,” said Principal Eric Jackson.
School district personnel were able to quickly cover the messages up. Principal Jackson said the messages were left on the eve of the school’s “unity day.”
“It’s an opportunity for us to stand up against bullying, an opportunity to unify all people of all races,” said Jackson.
Security video shows three young males jumping a security fence to commit the crime. Students said they were shocked by what they saw.
“I couldn’t imagine that it would happen at my high school, I’ve only been embraced by the students and the faculty here,” said student Jessica Gonzalez.
There is a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. Venice Police are handling the investigation.
