Massachusetts

‘ARE WE NEXT': Wellesley School Officials Investigate Graffiti Found on Middle School Walkway

A Massachusetts middle school will have increased police presence Tuesday and Wednesday in response to some graffiti that was found on the sidewalk in front of the school earlier today.

Wellesley Middle School Principal Mark Ito said someone wrote "ARE WE NEXT" in orange spray paint. The message has since been cleared away, Ito said.

It's unclear if the words were meant to reference the February school shooting in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were killed.

Ito issued a statement Tuesday morning saying the Wellesley Police Department is investigating the incident. He issued an update later in the day saying that a review of video footage from the premises concluded that no building entry of any kind occured during the spray painting. 

"Right now, we are settling in for our day," he said. "We are communicating with staff and students, and ensuring them of their safety."

Anyone with information about who might be responsible for the graffiti is asked to call the main office at Wellesley Middle School and ask for Ito or another administrator.

Students at numerous area schools have scheduled walkouts on March 14 to honor the victims of the Parkland shooting.

Contact Us