Brazen Antisemitism: Michigan State Chabad Targeted in Brazen Back to Back Attacks
A serial vandal has struck the Michigan State Chabad center on back-to-back nights, moving from an attempted break-in to painting swastikas and threatening messages on the front door.
A Tuesday Morning Assault
The cycle of violence began early Tuesday morning at the Chabad Jewish Center located at 115 Albert St. in downtown East Lansing. Security footage captured an assailant throwing large stones at the center's windows and doors. While the impact of the stones was significant, the building's reinforced glass held firm, preventing the attacker from breaking into the facility.
Fortunately, no one was inside the building at the time of the initial assault. While the damage was limited to the exterior, the intentional nature of the act caused immediate concern for the safety of Jewish students on campus.
“He’s Back”: The Vandal Returns
Despite the initial police report, the perpetrator returned to the scene the very next night to escalate the harassment. Between late Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the vandal spray painted swastikas on the doors of the center. Along with the hateful Nazi symbols, the attacker left a chilling message for the community, painting the words "he's back" across the property.
Lt. Adrian Ojerio of the East Lansing Police Department confirmed that the authorities are now investigating these incidents as hate crimes. While the offensive graffiti was removed quickly by a Chabad representative on Thursday, the psychological impact of the targeted harassment remains a heavy burden for the local community.
The Search for the Suspect
As of Thursday morning, police have not yet detained any suspects or announced any arrests in connection with the stone throwing or the hate speech graffiti. Investigators are currently working to determine if both nights of vandalism were carried out by the same individual, though the "he's back" message strongly suggests a single, persistent harasser.
The attacks at Michigan State come during a period of heightened global tension and a surge in antisemitism following the massacres carried out by Hamas terrorists on October 7. Campus leaders and local law enforcement have vowed to increase patrols around Jewish community sites to prevent further escalations while the search for the vandal continues.