WASHINGTON — The FBI is now involved in an investigation of a “racially-motivated hate crime” at American University involving bananas hung from nooses on campus.
The FBI is assisting AU police with the investigation.
Three displays involving bananas and nooses were left on campus sometime between 3:45 a.m. and 4:10 a.m. Monday. Some of the bananas had the letters AKA written on them, which university officials said they believed to be a reference to a Alpha Kappa Alpha, a predominantly African-American sorority.
Campus police said surveillance video captured a suspect early Monday morning in a black long-sleeved shirt and pants wearing a hat or a mask.
The suspect may have been driving a white or silver sedan.
AU Police are offering a $1,000 reward for information that helps identify a suspect. Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect is encouraged to contact the American University Police Department at 202-885-2527 or submit an anonymous online tip here.
