Arizona Public Radio | Your Source for NPR News
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
KNAU Arizona Public Radio is integrating new audio software into both news and classical services. We thank you for your patience and support through the transition.

Man arrested after Quran damaged at Arizona State University

Arizona State University police have arrested a 38-year-old homeless man they say is responsible for damaging Islamic literature and a copy of the Quran at the campus library.
Muslim Students Association of ASU
Arizona State University police have arrested a 38-year-old homeless man they say is responsible for damaging Islamic literature and a copy of the Quran at the campus library.

Arizona State University police have arrested a 38-year-old homeless man they say is responsible for damaging Islamic literature and a copy of the Quran at the campus library.

Police are investigating a motive for damage at the Hayden Library’s interfaith room on Wednesday.

Before the arrest, the Center for American-Islamic Relations called it a hate crime and the ASU Muslim Students Association posted photos of burned and torn pages with Arabic writing and damage to a wall.

Authorities say officers arrested the man after a witness reported to library staff that he tore up several magazines and books.

Officers connected him to the earlier damage of Islamic materials through surveillance footage.