Police: 3 high school students identified as suspects behind racist graffiti on temple, middle school

BOTHELL, Wash. -- Police identified three Bothell High School students as the vandals behind racist graffiti, including two large swastikas, painted on a Hindu Temple and a nearby middle school.

Northshore school officials reported the graffiti, including the swastikas and the words "Muslims get out," on the side of Skyview Junior High School on Feb. 15. On the same day, Snohomish County sheriff's deputies received a report that the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center in the 3800 212th Street of Bothell was vandalized.

Deputies said the graffiti featured Swastikas and the words "GET OUT" in red on the exterior walls of the building.

“When it happens here it tells you it’s not in a certain part of America, it’s in the mainstream, it’s in a very intellectual place like here in Bothell, so I’m very surprised,” temple member Ketan Shah said.



Bothell police and sheriff's deputies began working on a joint investigation for malicious harassment following the discovery.

On Wednesday, police said they identified the Bothell High School students -- all juveniles -- as the primary suspects in the vandalism. Two declined to be interviewed, police said, but one fully admitted to being involved in the crimes. It is not known if they were arrested.

The case is still under active investigation, police said.

Since the graffiti was found, many in the community have come out to show their support for the local temple.