Law enforcement officials believe they’re closing in on an arrest in the racial vandalism that took place Sunday at the University of Mississippi, according to the school’s student-run newspaper.
University Police Department Chief Calvin Sellers told The Daily Mississippian on Tuesday night that authorities are “extremely close to making an arrest” in the investigation into the defacement of a campus statue honoring James Meredith, the first black student to be admitted to the school.
A noose and a flag showing the “stars and bars” of the Confederacy were found on the statue early Sunday.
The school’s alumni association posted a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and the FBI said Tuesday that it’s joining the investigation.
Sellers, who sounded somewhat pessimistic about the inquiry when he spoke to TPM earlier this week, told The Daily Mississippian that an arrest could be imminent.
But he acknowledged that police aren’t sure what charges will be brought forth.
Sellers did not immediately return TPM’s call on Thursday morning.
