12-12-2018
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The student arrested in connection with recent racist vandalism on Western’s campus will be expelled.
20-year-old Shayne Robert Merwin faces felony charges of second-degree burglary and malicious harassment according to the state’s hate crime statute.
Western Washington University says he pleaded not guilty on Friday at his arraignment in Whatcom County Superior Court.
The University says the vandalism is not in line with the school’s values and is a serious violation of their student code of conduct.
Merwin does have the option to appeal the disciplinary decision.
University Police continue an active criminal investigation into the vandalism.