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Police release video of Roxborough High School vandalism suspect

Racist and antisemitic slogans were painted across Roxborough High School's building walls. Here’s what police know about the suspect.

A screenshot of a surveillance video captures the suspect in a recent vandalism incident, where an unknown white male painted racist and antisemitic slogans on the exterior walls of Roxborough High School on Jan. 4, 2026. Police describe the suspect as a white male, wearing an orange scarf/wrap, green and black winter hat, gray hooded jacket, gray pants, and a gray and black backpack.
A screenshot of a surveillance video captures the suspect in a recent vandalism incident, where an unknown white male painted racist and antisemitic slogans on the exterior walls of Roxborough High School on Jan. 4, 2026. Police describe the suspect as a white male, wearing an orange scarf/wrap, green and black winter hat, gray hooded jacket, gray pants, and a gray and black backpack.Read more(Courtesy of Philadelphia Police Department)

Philadelphia police seek to identify the suspect responsible for recent vandalism at Roxborough High School.

A person painted racist and antisemitic slogans across the exterior walls of the school building Sunday, which included a swastika and racial epithets.

Surveillance video caught the suspect vandalizing the walls around 5:25 a.m. Police describe the suspect as a white male, wearing an orange scarf, a green and black winter hat, a gray hooded jacket, gray pants, and a gray and black backpack.

Cameras captured the person on Jan. 4 approaching the school on foot, coming eastbound from Fountain Street toward Pechin Street. The suspect was last seen heading toward Ridge Avenue

Police asked people to call 911 if the suspect is seen. Information about this crime or suspect can also be shared with Northwest Detective Division by calling 215-686-3353

The public can also submit tips by calling 215-686-8477 or using the online form. All tips remain confidential.

After officials painted over the vandalism over the weekend, Roxborough High School countered the hateful messaging with peaceful messages of their own, written in chalk.

Principal Kristin Williams Smalley said the act of hate didn’t represent the school body.

“We are deeply disappointed by these actions,” Williams Smalley wrote in a letter to the community. “We wish to remind everyone that we have a zero-tolerance policy for harassment or hate speech of any kind, and we will investigate all matters involving racist remarks and other hate speech.”

On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission condemned the “acts of hate and discrimination” and praised Roxborough’s respons as a testament to the community’s dignity, respect, and shared values.

“Racism and antisemitism are not isolated acts. These acts harm entire communities,” commission executive director Chad Dion Lassiter said. “The response at Roxborough High School shows what is possible when people refuse to be divided and instead stand together to affirm humanity, belonging, and respect. That solidarity is a powerful counter to hate.”