COLUMBIA, MO. • A University of Missouri student was suspended Monday following his arrest related to an incident of racism on the Columbia campus.
The university announced the student's "temporary suspension" pending the outcome of a student conduct judicial process.
University police arrested Benjamin A. Elliott, 18, Saturday night after racist messages were spray painted on the outside of a residence hall. He was booked into the Boone County Jail on suspicion of second-degree property damage, a felony. He was released after posting 10 percent of a $4,500 bond. Extra penalties could be applied if the case is construed as a hate crime.
A slur, spray painted in black on the base of a sculpture in front of Hatch Hall, was discovered about 9:15 a.m. Saturday, said MU Police Capt. Brian Weimer. It included the n-word.
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