San Diego State University police are investigating an antisemitic attack against their Jewish community members.
The Anti-Defamation League of California condemned the early Wednesday attack, which they said was against the Alpha Epsilon Pi Jewish fraternity house at SDSU, although a message from SDSU to students said the incident occurred at a building in the 5500 block of 55th Street, which appears to be student housing.
The ADL said another fraternity vandalized the house "with paint and fireworks, and broke windows while shouting hateful and antisemitic slurs," according to a statement from ADL San Diego's regional director Fabienne Perlov.
ADL San Diego Regional Director Fabienne Perlov addresses the antisemitic attack on a Jewish fraternity at @SDSU last night. Read the University’s statement on the incident here: https://t.co/AcDMXgxAuq pic.twitter.com/9GyWvEDCDP
— ADL California (@ADLCalifornia) February 27, 2025
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NBC 7 reached out to SDSU to confirm the details from the ADL. A spokesperson pointed to a letter sent to the SDSU campus from de la Torre for information.
The letter said several individuals early Wednesday were throwing items toward the building on 55th Street while making racist and antisemitic remarks.
The University Police Department is investigating the act as vandalism and a hate crime. The university president says investigators have interviewed more than a dozen witnesses.
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"Let us be absolutely clear: any act of hate or discrimination based on a person's religion, race or ethnicity is against university policy and our Principles of Community," de la Torre said. "The university takes these actions very seriously, and we are committed to the safety and well-being of all our community members."
The California Department of Justice defines a hate crime as any crime motivated by the victim's real or perceived protected social group, which includes race or ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.
Campus police urged anyone with information about this incident to contact UPD by calling 619-594-1987 or email pmcmullen@sdsu.edu.
San Diego police are also investigating a separate hate crime that occurred in the Scripps Ranch neighborhood on Valentine's Day. Law enforcement said home surveillance video captured three individuals vandalizing an LGBTQ-flag-themed fence. In that crime, a reward is being offered for tips that lead to an arrest.
