The Johns Hopkins University Blue Jay statue stands between freshman dorm building AMR 2 and the freshmen’s dining hall. Normally, students decorate the Blue Jay and his shield, often sending messages that are meaningful, encouraging, or related to campus goings-on.
But on Tuesday morning, as students passed the Blue Jay on their way to finals, they witnessed something darker and more threatening attached to their mascot statue: a pellet gun chained to the bottom of the shield and a single magazine placed on each of the pavers leading up to the statue.
“This morning a pellet gun and cartridges were found at a statue of the Blue Jay mascot on our Homewood campus,” a Johns Hopkins University spokesperson told Baltimore Fishbowl. “The incident was immediately reported to the University, and Hopkins Public Safety and the Baltimore Police Department are investigating. Pellet guns are illegal in the City of Baltimore and all weapons are prohibited on our campuses. Safety is our highest priority, and we appreciate the timely reporting of suspicious activity to 911 and Johns Hopkins Public Safety.”
A message on the shield already said “I bee leaf in you” with a drawing of a bee and leaf as a substitute for the words. The three pavers had the words “U” “Can” “Do it” written on them.
It was on Tuesday that the pellet gun and magazines were discovered to have been added.
The JHU spokesperson told Fishbowl, “[T]he statue is routinely decorated by students and these messages existed prior to the incident. Comments painted on and around the statue are not associated with this incident.”
Pellet guns bear strong resemblances to firearms, and it is difficult for people at a glance, without experience, and at a distance, to know the difference.
A parent, who wishes to remain anonymous, with two children who attend JHU, expressed concern and alarm about the incident. Her younger child was on the way to a final exam when he saw the gun and magazines.
“He’s fine but pissed off. My kids (for better or worse) are pretty tough, but I can imagine other students being an emotional mess,” she said.
“It’s the end of finals week, the kids have all been pulling all-nighters and are totally burned out,” she continued. “This encouragement to violence/suicide comes at a scary time.”
Campus security was alerted and Baltimore Police are investigating as well.
Johns Hopkins University Campus Public Safety emailed an advisory to their subscribers that read:
PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY
Baltimore Police and Johns Hopkins Public Safety are investigating the circumstances surrounding a pellet gun and cartridges that were found at the Blue Jay mascot statue on the Homewood campus. This incident was immediately reported to the University. All weapons are prohibited on our campuses and pellet guns are illegal in the City of Baltimore.
Safety is our highest priority. If you have any information surrounding this incident, please contact Public Safety at 410-516-4600 or https://publicsafety.jhu.edu/contact/.
For further information and tips, please visit the JHU Public Safety website at https://publicsafety.jhu.edu/resources-services/crime-prevention-tips/. When observing suspicious activity, everyone is reminded to contact JHU Public Safety at (410-516-7777) or Baltimore Police (911) immediately.
