Racist graffiti spray-painted at South Boston elementary school

BOSTON — Parents and neighbors have been rattled by racist graffiti found at the Tynan School in South Boston Wednesday morning.

Boston Public Schools said a custodian discovered hateful graffiti painted on several areas outside of Tynan Elementary School in South Boston. The custodian, Logan Thompson, believes the graffiti is targeting him directly, as an African American in what he says is an unfamiliar face in a mostly white neighborhood.

"They could be trying to scare me away, but I'm not going anywhere. It's my job, I love it here," said Thompson.

Boston Police is investigating and the Civil Rights Unit of the Boston Police Dept. has been informed.

"The Boston Public Schools does not and will not tolerate hatred, discrimination, or bias of any kind. BPS treasures the cultural diversity of our community, which includes young people and adults of an extraordinary array of racial, ethnic, religious and other identities."

- BPS interim superintendent Laura Perille.

Parents have been notified and BPS Behavioral Health staff and school psychologists are on site at the school.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said whoever wrote the message should be ashamed.

"What we saw today on the walls of the Tynan School is horrifying and heinous, and a complete misrepresentation of who we are as a city. Racism and threats of this nature will not be tolerated in our schools or in the City of Boston. To whoever wrote this message, you should be ashamed for spreading this message of hate where our young people go to learn. Boston is a place that is welcoming & inclusive of all. Boston Police are conducting an investigation & any individuals involved will be held accountable."

The Boston Teachers Union released the following statement regarding the incident:

"All of us at the Boston Teachers Union stand together with the Tynan Elementary School community to condemn hate, racism, and threats of violence. The words and actions targeted towards this school are a violation of our community's values. The hateful words directed at members of our school family deeply affect us all -- no child, staff member, or educator should ever be the victim of threats, harassment, or any form of hate. Our educators will never be deterred from our mission of ensuring our schools and communities are places where everyone feels welcome and safe."

The graffiti was cleaned up from the school. Boston Police Commissioner William Gross says he is considering taking the investigation federal.

Cox Media Group