Video footage obtained from the scene captures a chaotic display, with bottles and paint being thrown and fireworks ignited toward the听AEPi house, leaving the exterior defaced. While no suspects have been officially identified, speculation has pointed to the neighboring Phi Kappa Psi house, though this connection remains unconfirmed. AEPi members, including the fraternity president, are actively cleaning up the damage and cooperating with law enforcement as the investigation unfolds.
This incident has drawn attention due to a troubling pattern of anti-Semitic acts on the SDSU campus in recent years. In July 2023, San Diego police investigated an assault on a 65-year-old member of the SDSU Chabad House as a hate crime, where the victim was attacked in a nearby 7-Eleven, had his tzitzit torn, and faced antisemitic and anti-Israel slurs.听
Earlier incidents include a March 2021 case where swastikas were drawn on South Campus Plaza North, prompting university-wide condemnation and training sessions on anti-Semitism. Additionally, the Chabad House menorah has been repeatedly targeted - damaged in 2017 by students doing pull-ups during a suspected fraternity initiation, again in March 2021 when an arm was broken, and in March 2023 when it was knocked down - though the 2017 incident was not classified as a hate crime by police.
SDSU President Adela de la Torre addressed the latest AEPi incident in a campus-wide email, stating, "Any form of hate or discrimination has no place at our university, and we stand together in condemning such behavior in the strongest form."听
Students have expressed mixed reactions, with some citing a broader history of fraternity-related tensions, while others, including a Jewish campus leader, voicing shock and calling for unity against hate. The university has assured the community that support services are available and that campus police are working to enhance safety measures.听
As the investigation continues, many in the SDSU community are advocating for stricter accountability and proactive steps to prevent future hate-fueled incidents, reflecting on the campus鈥檚 recurring challenges with anti-Semitic vandalism.
Below is the full email from听SDSU President Adela de la Torre, Chief of Police Gregory L. Murphy and Josh Mays, AVP for Safety and Community Empowerment, sent on听Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 6:26pm:
Subject: SDSU Response, UPD Investigating Vandalism and Hate Crime
Dear SDSU Campus Community,
We are writing to inform you of a report of vandalism that was accompanied by hateful, antisemitic remarks early this morning in the 5500 block of 55th Street. The incident was reported to the San Diego State University Police Department (UPD) by members of the university鈥檚 community who identify as Jewish. Based on reported information, UPD is investigating this incident as vandalism and a hate crime.
The following message provides information about what is known, the actions the university is taking, and support resources available to students, faculty and staff.听
What Happened听
Early this morning, UPD received a report that items were thrown by several individuals at a building in the 5500 block of 55th Street, and that racist and antisemitic remarks were yelled. Since the report was made early this morning, investigators have interviewed more than one dozen witnesses and will be continuing their interviews to gather additional information.
Again, this is being investigated as a hate crime, which is defined as a crime motivated by prejudice against a person or group based on their actual or perceived protected characteristics, including religion, race or ethnicity. As it is important that the university receives as much information as possible about what happened, we appreciate that members of our community quickly and appropriately reported this incident so that UPD could immediately launch its investigation.听
Let us be absolutely clear: Any act of hate or discrimination based on a person鈥檚 religion, race or ethnicity is against university policy and our听. The university takes these actions very seriously, and we are committed to the safety and well-being of all our community members.
Active Police Investigation is Ongoing听
University team members have been in contact with those who reported this incident, as well as members of our Presidential Task Force on Strengthening Community and Combating Antisemitism and others on campus, to make sure they are informed of what has happened and are supported.
If you have any information about this incident, we urge you to contact UPD Detective P. McMullen at 619-594-1987 or via email at听[email protected].
Also, and based on UPD鈥檚 investigation, there is no indication that the incident is connected with the vandalism reported on campus听. The police investigation into those earlier reports of vandalism remains active.听
As always, you can also report information to the听听辞谤听, and community members can share anonymous tips via the reporting form on the听.听
Support Available听
We know that these types of incidents can be alarming and deeply upsetting. SDSU is committed to quickly responding, and to ensuring that any student, faculty or staff who needs support receives it. Please rely on the many听听available.听
Any form of hate or discrimination has no place at our university, and we stand together in condemning such behavior in the strongest form. Our campus community thrives on respect and inclusivity, and we will continue to work tirelessly toward creating a safe environment for all.
Adela de la Torre, Ph.D.听
San Diego State University President
Gregory L. Murphy听
Chief of Police
Josh Mays
Associate Vice President for Safety and Community Empowerment听
