The NYPD is investigating an incident where the Brooklyn home of Cas Holloway, Chief Operating Officer of Columbia University, was vandalized and targeted with insects early Thursday morning. Authorities believe pro-Palestinian protesters are responsible for splattering paint on the building in Brooklyn Heights where Holloway resides and releasing live crickets into the lobby, referring to them as a “present.”
In addition to the paint and insects, glass was broken, and inverted red triangles—symbols used by Hamas to mark enemies—were scrawled on the building. Flyers criticizing Holloway’s handling of the anti-Israel protests that occurred at Columbia University’s Morningside Heights campus earlier this year were also left outside the building. These protests had sparked considerable controversy and debate over free speech and the university’s response to such demonstrations.
So far, no arrests have been made, and the NYPD continues to investigate the incident. The attack has raised concerns about the safety of university officials and the escalating tensions surrounding pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel demonstrations. Holloway has not yet made a public statement regarding the vandalism.
