Story originally published at 8:40 a.m. and updated at 2:50 p.m. to include video from Chabad UF security cameras.

GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – Security has been increased at the Lubavitch Chabad Jewish Student & Community Center at the University of Florida (Chabad UF) following vandalism to signs at the center.

Chabad UF says someone scribbled graffiti on signs with “anti-Semitic and hateful slurs” at the center in the early morning hours of Friday, Nov. 24.

Photo of a vandalized banner at the UF Jewish Student & Community Center. Courtesy: Chabad UF
Photo of the graffiti on the Chabad UF sign. The scribble says “child murder” and “burn in hell.” Courtesy: Chabad UF
Graffiti on the sidewalk near Chabad UF, the Jewish Student & Community Center.

Center leaders posted a flyer on its Facebook page on Sunday detailing the crime and included blurry images from a security camera of the person responsible.

The defacing is quickly scribbled phrases in what looks like permanent magic marker that say “Child murders” and “Burn in Hell.”  One of the signs is a banner that says “Gator Nation stands with Israel.”

On Monday, Rabbi Berl Goldman released several security camera video clips to 352today. In the videos, a person wearing a long trench coat can be seen vandalizing the property at the Center and kneeling down to write on the sidewalk.

Another Camera Angle
The Center has multiple security cameras and captured images of the person from several different angles. At approximately 4 minutes and 13 seconds into this video, the vandal pauses and does a 360-degree turn as if to ensure no one is around to have witnessed the crime being committed.

The Rabbi says they have reported the crime to the Gainesville Police Department and indicate they plan to pursue charges against the person once they are caught.

In October, a vigil to show support for Israel following the attacks by Hamas ended in a student stampede when the crowd got spooked by loud noises and panicked. The University Police Department said there was no foul play and no malicious intent in that incident.

Chabad UF vows to not be intimidated in wake of the vandalism saying, “We will not be cowed by hate, but will in fact double our efforts to strengthen Judaism, advocate for Israel and continue to bring light and joy to the UF, SFC and Gainesville communities.”

Rabbi Goldman tells 352today the vandalism has been cleaned up and says they are increasing security protocols to ensure the safety of the Center’s participants, visitors, guests, employees and staff.

If you have information about the crime, you’re asked to contact the Gainesville Police Department.

Chabad UF created a flyer with three blurry photos from security camera footage of the suspected vandal. Courtesy: Chabad UF