New info on $1.25M in vandalism at Hilton Head Island Middle School: Is there video?
This story has been updated to reflect that there is no video footage of the vandals
During a July break-in vandals caused $1.25 million in damage at Hilton Head Island Middle School, according to a disaster recovery team service contract.
More than 75 classrooms, locker rooms, bathrooms, the gym, the cafeteria, the auditorium and hallways were damaged by multiple fire extinguisher discharges, spray paint, shampoo, conditioner, floor stripper and potentially other contaminants, according to information from the contract and Staff Sgt. Danny Allen at the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. There is no video footage of the vandalism because the school is still under construction with no working cameras.
Allen said the report didn’t say if any symbols or words were spray painted, only that it was on random items.
Servpro, the disaster recovery team, is expected to complete the clean-up by Aug. 14, according to the contract. It won’t impact school starting Aug. 21, according to district spokesperson Candace Bruder. The contract was approved through emergency procurement and restoration began July 26.
Allen said the school was vandalized between when construction crews left the school July 18 and when the principal reported the incident the morning of July 20. They are unsure how the vandals entered the school, but law enforcement found several open windows.
It is an active law enforcement investigation and Allen said they are uncertain if the vandals were students and how many there were.
BCSO and the district would not release photos citing that it is an active law enforcement investigation. If a suspect is able to be identified, the principal wants to pursue criminal charges for Burglary and Malicious injury to property, according to the report.
