Sheriff's office: 5 teens identified in historic schoolhouse vandalism

ASHBURN, Va. - The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said investigators have identified five teenagers believed to be responsible for the racist and offensive graffiti spray-painted on a historic African American schoolhouse in Ashburn.

Authorities said three 16-year-olds and a 17-year-old from Sterling along with a 16-year-old from Ashburn were identified after being interviewed by detectives.

According to the sheriff's office, detectives will work with the Office of the Loudoun Commonwealth's Attorney and the Loudoun County Juvenile Court Service Unit Intake Department to charge the teenagers for the vandalism.

Swastikas and the words "white power" and "brown power" were discovered on the Old Ashburn Schoolhouse last Saturday.

The vandalism occurred as a group of students were working to renovate the 19th century building and turn it into a museum. The students initially raised more than $20,000, put in a new foundation and replaced all the windows before the vandalism happened. But the students fundraising efforts for the renovation project have improved and over $65,000 has been raised as of Wednesday.

"We would like to thank the community and our local leaders for their outpouring of support and for understanding the significance of these offenses," said Loudoun County Sheriff Chapman.