Vandals Deface Nittany Lion Shrine On Penn State Graduation Weekend

Pittsburgh PA

08 May, 2022

8:38 PM

Description

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA — Someone broke an ear off the Nittany Lion Shrine and splashed red paint on it, Penn State University said in a statement Sunday. The vandals also wrote graffiti on the university's iconic Old Main building and the Hintz Family Alumni Center at some time over night, the university said. Spring commencement is this weekend but the site was closed for any graduation photos Sunday, the university said. "These are profoundly disturbing acts, at a time when many families are taking photos and celebrating the educational accomplishments of their graduates," the university said. University Police are investigating and encourage anyone with information to call them at 814-863-1111 or submit a tip here. Student publications The Daily Collegian and Onward State reported the words "TIME IS UP" were painted in red on the central doors of Old Main. Also on the Old Main were several messages in blue, the reports said: "DEATH BY COP," "DEATH BY HAZING," "DEATH BY SUICIDE" and "DEATH BY PSU CULTURE." The Lion Shrine, Old Main, and the Hintz Family Alumni Center were vandalized with paint and a series of messages between Saturday night and Sunday morning. https://t.co/x5SEn6PAbR— Onward State (@OnwardState) May 8, 2022The Nittany Lion Shrine is closed for repairs after an incident of vandalism Saturday nighthttps://t.co/UveuweC34J— The Daily Collegian (@DailyCollegian) May 8, 2022 And, a note on a Hintz Family Alumni Center window said "should have listened when you had the chance," the reports said, and two three-word initials: FTG and ADG. PSU Police told The Daily Collegian that investigators are working on several leads.