Disturbing graffiti near Bethesda elementary school prompts security boost

There will be increased security when students at Bradley Hill Elementary School in Bethesda, Maryland return to class Monday after graffiti expressing sympathy for the man who shot and killed 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012 was found nearby. Most of those victims were children.

The graffiti was discovered on a fence at a tennis court next to Bradley Hills Elementary on Saturday.

School leaders say there will be an increased police presence at the school on Monday as the investigation continues.

The offensive graffiti has been painted over, but the concern it has caused remains.

“It’s disturbing, and my kid goes to Bradley hills so I’m very concerned,” said Shawn Yu. “I don’t know how to process this. I don’t know what kind of people will leave a message like this for little kids.”

In a letter sent to parents obtained by News4, Montgomery County school leaders wrote, in part, “To be clear, the use of the name of an individual responsible for such a heinous act, one that involved the loss of life of young school children, can only be interpreted as an act intended to intimidate and cause fear within the Bradley Hills School community, and the broader neighborhood and community, too.”

The letter goes on to say that Montgomery County police are investigating and that school leaders have turned over surveillance video and other information to them — but this isn’t the only disturbing incident to happen at the school recently.

Montgomery County police say a shed at the school was intentionally set on fire between April 2 and April 3.

School leaders say they do not know if the two incidents are connected.

Yu has this message for whoever is responsible.

“Just think about what you are doing. You’re terrifying a community that has never done any harm to you. I don’t know what your concern is or what is bothering you. It would be better to be dealt with other ways.”