> At a Glance
> – Police released footage of a man suspected of spray-painting racist and antisemitic graffiti at Roxborough High School on Jan. 4, 2026
> – The vandal scrawled misspelled slurs and crude swastikas, including the phrase “I heat n**“
> – Officers say the person carried an orange, gun-shaped item-likely a water gun-while defacing the building
> – Why it matters: The incident adds to a recent uptick in school-targeted hate crimes and could lead to enhanced security measures for students and staff
Philadelphia investigators hope newly released surveillance video will help identify the vandal who scrawled racist and antisemitic graffiti across Roxborough High School over the weekend.
The Footage
The short clip, posted Wednesday morning, shows a lone figure walking toward the Ridge Avenue school shortly before the graffiti was discovered. He wore an orange scarf, a green-and-black winter hat, a gray hooded jacket, gray pants, and a gray-and-black backpack.
Detectives say the man carried an orange object shaped like a firearm-believed to be a toy water gun-as he approached the building.
What Was Found
- Crude swastikas
- Poorly spelled racial epithets
- The phrase “I heat n” painted on an exterior wall
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan. 4, 2026 | Graffiti discovered on school walls |
| Jan. 7, 2026 | Surveillance footage released to the public |
After tagging the property, the suspect fled toward Ridge Avenue, according to police.
How to Help
Anyone with information is asked to contact:
- Philadelphia Police Northwest Detective Division: 215-686-3353 or 215-686-3354
- Anonymous tip line:** 215-686-TIPS (8477)
Key Takeaways
- The suspect wore distinctive clothing that may help the public identify him
- Security cameras captured clear footage of the individual approaching the school
- Hate-crime investigators have taken over the case
- Tips can be submitted anonymously
Police say even small details-from the orange scarf to the toy gun-could jog someone’s memory and lead to an arrest.
