Acton PD Say Arizona Minor Is Suspect In Racist Zoombombing

Acton MA

13 January, 2021

8:40 PM

Description

ACTON, MA —A minor from Arizona is the leading suspect in the Acton Police Department's investigation into racist harassment that interrupted two Acton-Boxborough School Committee meetings in the last few weeks. Acton Police are working with a local Arizona police department to continue the investigation, Acton police said in a statement released Wednesday night. The police department's investigation started on Dec. 17. The department said the minor does not appear to have any connections to Acton or Boxborough, and is believed to have learned about the scheduled meetings online. Police did not release any more information about the suspect. During the meeting on Jan. 7, a person who volunteered to speak during the public speak portion of the meeting played an audio recording that contained the N-word. The comment was directed toward Kyra Wilson-Cook and Evelyn Abayaah-Issah — the only Black members on the committee. This was the second time the two members were targeted with hate speech, they were targeted in December during another School Committee meeting. "We have been prioritizing this investigation since the initial incident last month, and have continued to do so in light of a second incident last week," Chief Burrows said. "I am glad we have been able to identify a likely suspect in this case and, as we learn more, will work toward holding that individual accountable in a meaningful way." Acton's Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee and Town Manager all condemned the harassment. Acton police said a third attempt was made by someone to interrupt a government meeting on Monday during the Board of Selectmen's emergency meeting to discuss the harassment.