Columbia University administrator's home found vandalized with red paint and insects

ByEyewitness News

Thursday, August 8, 2024

Columbia administrator's home vandalized with red paint and insects

Jim Dolan reports on the vandalism at a Columbia administrator's home.

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn (WABC) -- The home of a Columbia University administrator was found vandalized in Brooklyn on Thursday, police say.

The Brooklyn Heights home belongs to COO (Chief Operating Officer) Cas Holloway.

Officers received a call just after 5 a.m. of people vandalizing a home. The caller told police he heard noises around 3 a.m.

When police arrived, they found red paint was splattered in front of the home and the front lobby window was shattered. Red triangles were also painted on the home, which Jewish advocates have said are symbols used by terrorists to mark targets they want to take out.

Police also say insects were released into the lobby of the building.

"This is to me an attack on all of New York," said Mark Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council. "The antisemitism is the canary in the coalmine. Not too far behind, are attacks on other groups of people and democracy itself."

Flyers were also left in front of the building which criticized Holloway over his handling of the protests that plagued the university's campus earlier this year.

"Columbia unequivocally condemns vandalism, threats, and personal attacks," a Columbia University spokesperson said in a statement. "Anyone engaging in such activity will be reported to law enforcement and face appropriate discipline. Every member of our community deserves to feel safe, valued, and able to thrive."

No arrests have been made.

An investigation is ongoing.