WASHINGTON — Police arrested the two suspects wanted for hanging a noose outside an Anne Arundel County middle school earlier this week.
On Thursday morning, a Crofton Middle School teacher found a noose hanging from a light fixture on the exterior of the school building, located at 2301 Davidsonville Rd., in Crofton. Video surveillance showed two people got onto the roof early Thursday and put the noose there.
Anne Arundel County police arrested Conner Charles Prout and John Havermann — both 19 years old — on Friday. The pair faces charges for trespassing, disturbing school operations and disorderly conduct. Police arrested Prout, while Havermann turned himself in to police.
The men aren’t facing hate crime charges after the District Court Commissioner said there was no probable cause for the charge, Anne Arundel County police spokesman Lt. Ryan Frashure told WTOP.
Frashure said there was an “overwhelming response” to the footage, with people calling to identify the two suspects.
“There is no place in our community for the sentiment communicated by such an act, and we will always give 100 percent effort to bring to justice anyone who commits a crime espousing hateful ideology,” Chief Timothy Altomare said in a news release.
WTOP’s Brian Drew contributed to this report.
