University of Missouri police arrest suspect in sidewalk vandalism near Jefferson statue

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A University of Missouri student has been arrested and given a court summons in connection with graffiti found on the sidewalk near the Thomas Jefferson statue on MU's campus.

The University of Missouri Police Department said officers arrested and cited Ian M. Laird, 20, of Columbia, on Tuesday in relation to the vandalism near the Founding Father's statue on the Francis Quadrangle.

Laird was issued a summons on one count of second-degree property damage, a misdemeanor, MUPD said.

Police have referred the case to the Boone County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and MU's Office of Student Accountability and Support.

The graffiti was discovered June 21. Police did not describe the vandalism, which happened during a push to get the statue removed from campus amid racial justice protests across the country.

Critics want the statue taken off the campus because of Jefferson's history as a slave owner. MU officials have rejected that call, instead saying the university is taking a look at how to put the third president and co-author of the Declaration of Independence in the proper context.

When reached by ABC 17 News, Laird declined to comment.