Hate Hoax: Idaho Police Say ‘White Power’ Graffiti on High School Created by ‘Rival’ Hispanic Gangs

The Idaho Police Department determined that “White Power” graffiti found at a local high school was not an act of hatred, but an “act of intimidation” between two “rival Latin American criminal street gangs.”

“Detectives now no longer believe the incident was motivated by hatred, but rather an act of intimidation between two rival Latin American criminal street gangs from Caldwell,” the Caldwell Police Department said in a Facebook post.

“Detectives are basing this on evidence, videos and other factors uncovered during the investigation.”

Last Thursday, two days after the high school held a “Brown Pride” protest, “White Power” graffiti was found on a wall at Caldwell High School, according to the Idaho Statesman. Tuesday’s protest was held in support of a student who was told to take off his ‘Brown Pride’ hoodie because other people reportedly thought it was ‘racist’.

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Entrance to Caldwell High School in Idaho.
(Google Maps)

School officials reportedly likened the phrase to a “white pride” shirt, according to Brenda Hernandez, a student who was told to remove her shirt. She ended up turning the sweatshirt inside out so the phrase couldn’t be seen while she was on school grounds.

Caldwell High School Principal Anita Wilson said at the time that the school has a strict dress code “compared to other school districts because Caldwell used to have gang problems and Brown Pride is gang related”.

After the graffiti was found on Thursday, the police chief denounced what appeared to be an act of hate at the time, saying: “We will not tolerate hate in our city and will make sure that everyone responsible for this is held accountable for their actions.” “

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On Friday, police provided an update that graffiti vandalism is believed to be a “distraction tactic” used by one of the Hispanic gangs in the area to avoid being caught by the police, and “may have been done to exploit a recent protest at Caldwell High.” . School.”

“Gang members often commit acts of vandalism in an attempt to create fear and intimidation in the community,” the department said in a Facebook post on Friday.

Suspects who allegedly scrawled the phrase “White Power” at an Idaho high school.
(Caldwell Police Department)

Police released screenshots of CCTV footage from the night the school was vandalized, showing men in black masks and hoodies standing against a wall holding what looked like a spray can of paint. Police said they believe two groups of four people, or a total of eight suspects, arrived on Thursday in two different cars to graffiti the school.

Suspects who allegedly scrawled the phrase “White Power” at an Idaho high school.
(Caldwell Police Department)

Caldwell Police Chief Rex Ingram praised his department for its investigation and vowed to find those responsible.

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“I am proud of the efforts of our detectives to investigate this case, who quickly determined that this incident was not a hate crime,” Ingram said. “Unfortunately, this incident has already affected the lives of many in our community.

“It looked like an organized act of violence by cowardly members of a local criminal street gang who were trying to cause panic, fear and intimidation,” he continued. “I promise that when we catch the suspects, the public will be able to see who they are because they won’t be able to hide behind a hood or mask in a booking photo.”

A police spokesman also explained to Fox News Digital Monday that the department believes the vandalism is gang-related because it “is in line with gang activity, and we have determined that the flags are consistent with gangs in the area.” The spokesman added that the agency has additional evidence, but they are not releasing details as the investigation continues.

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Police are currently trying to locate eight suspects in the case. Anyone with information on this case is asked to call 343-COPS or emergency services at 208-454-7531.