Racist graffiti threatening mass shooting found at San Jose State University

Jason Green and Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News on Nov 19, 2025

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SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose State University community was on edge this week following the discovery of graffiti threatening violence against Asian, Jewish and Muslim members of the community.

The message, which warned of a mass shooting at the college campus in the next three days, was found Tuesday at MacQuarrie Hall. It was paired with a large swastika.

The university police department is working to identify the person responsible for the graffiti and hold them “accountable for their actions,” Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Vincent Del Casino wrote in a message to the community.

A separate university message sent to students Wednesday morning confirmed that the graffiti was found in the restroom of an academic building. The graffiti was removed and the University Police Department was investigating. The department’s risk assessment found that the threat was “low risk” because law enforcement does “not have evidence indicating an imminent or credible plan to carry out violence on campus.”

Classes and activities were continuing as scheduled Wednesday, according to the message. The campus remained open.

As of Wednesday morning, the investigation was ongoing, said SJSU university police Capt. Jermaine Thomas. The department had not received any tips as to what took place and is working to determine whether or not the threat is credible.

“As of now, we don’t have any additional information as to who wrote it,” Thomas said.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations was also notified of the threat and “is available to provide investigative support as needed,” the university added.

In the meantime, the university was ramping up foot patrols by campus police and staff members, Del Casino said. Additional security measures include expanded security cameras in public and exterior areas of residence halls, and improved lighting. Housing and library security staff will also be doing increased foot patrols, said Michelle Smith McDonald, senior director of media relations.

Thomas added that UPD is asking students and staff members to be more vigilant and report anything they see that is unusual.

“We understand that the students and staff are concerned,” he added. “We take these matters serious and will continue to investigate anything that comes up.”

Images of the unsettling graffiti were shared on social media, with one Reddit user writing, “This is bone chilling. I hope whoever did this gets removed from the university.”

This is the second time in two weeks that racist graffiti has been found on campus.

“These sorts of incidents are also very traumatic and we want you to know that we are here for everyone in our community,” Del Casino said, adding that students can contact Counseling and Psychological Services, or CAPS, at 408-924-5678 or visit sjsu.ed/wellness.

Employees in need of support can contact the Employee Assistance Program, Del Casino said.

“Together, we must continue to uphold dignity, compassion and respect for one another,” he said.

Anyone with information related to the case can contact the police department at 408-924-2222. Information can also be submitted through the Spartan Safe mobile app, the Title IX-EO reporting form and the student conduct incident reporting form.

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