NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A 21-year-old University of Connecticut student was arrested on Thursday for spray painting a Swastika on a campus building at the start of Passover, officials said.
Kristopher Pieper initially denied the act, but later admitted to spray painting the symbol on the UConn Chemistry Building, according to the arrest warrant.
Pieper was charged with intimidation based on bigotry or bias and criminal mischief.
He painted the swastika on March 27 -- that evening was the first Seder, marking the beginning of Passover.
Pieper also agreed to apologize to Hillel House -- located across the way from the Chemistry Building -- and the Jewish community.
UConn president Thomas Katsouleas wrote in a message to students and staff, "We are grateful to UConn Police for their efforts, which, along with our clearly articulated values as an institution, help to demonstrate that hateful acts such as these will never be tolerated at UConn."
He added, "Every member of our community — students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests — deserves to feel safe and respected at UConn. Anyone who violates that principle goes against the values this university exists to uphold.”
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