ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Messages written in chalk on the iconic clock tower of Saint Louis University calling for justice in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor were covered with new messages in permanent marker that said "Trump 2020" and "David Dorn," according to reports.
On Monday, school officials announced they would be launching an investigation into the incident.
Taylor was shot five times after officers in Louisville knocked down her door to serve a narcotics warrant on March 13. Last week, the grand jury in Louisville issued charges against one officer, Brett Hankison, for endangering three of Taylor’s neighbors by firing through her home, into an adjacent unit where bullets missed people. None of the the officers were indicted in the killing of Taylor.
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The charges sparked protests around the country, including in St. Louis.
Last week, SLU students gathered at the clock tower in the center of campus for a vigil in support of racial justice for Taylor and others. During the vigil, some students wrote on and around the tower in chalk.
The next morning, there were new messages, some written in permanent marker.
The Riverfront Times reports there was even a sticky note left at the memorial that said, "The court was correct, and Breonna was a criminal."
A statement from SLU says "numerous" students filed complaints about the vandalism.
"Numerous students have filed complaints with SLU’s Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity following an incident at our iconic Clock Tower late last week," the statement from SLU reads. "We received reports that some time Thursday night or early Friday morning, a person or persons using permanent markers, defaced chalked messages in memory of Breonna Taylor at the Joseph G. Lipic Clock Tower Plaza with political messaging.
"In response to these reports, the University initiated its Bias-Related Incident Protocol. The Bias Incident Report Team conducted an initial review and has authorized a full investigation of these complaints. The Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity is conducting the investigation and working closely with the Department of Public Safety."
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