COLUMBUS, Ohio — Two Ohio State students were assaulted and a Jewish center near campus was vandalized in what the university is calling two targeted acts against the Jewish community.
Early Friday morning, two students were assaulted in the 1800 block of North High Street.
According to a public safety notice from Ohio State, the two students were approached by two unknown males.
A report says the suspects yelled a derogatory term and assaulted the two students while asking if they were Jewish. One of the victims was treated at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and released. The notice did not provide details on the second student's injuries.
According to the university, the assault is "classified by the Clery Act as a hate crime motivated by bias against the Jewish community."
Interim Ohio State president Peter Mohler said the university's thoughts are with the students and their families and they're offering assistance.
In what is believed to be a separate incident, police are also looking for two women accused of vandalizing the Ohio State Hillel Wexner Jewish Student Center on Thursday.
According to police, two women went into the center, located on East 16th Avenue, around 1 p.m. saying they wanted to look around. The building is secured and the front desk let them in.
One woman stood by the front door while the other went into a room and began taking small Israeli flags. When staff confronted the woman, she ran out the door cursing at them, "you support genocide", and "free Palestine" while running to a waiting car, police said. The woman dropped the flags and got into the car with the other woman. A man in the car drove them away.
The center posted on Facebook saying cameras inside the building captured video of the incident, which has been turned over to police.
"The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority – first, foremost, and always," the center said. "We continue to be here for our students, and their physical and emotional safety remains top priority."
Mohler condemned both acts, saying "the university has no tolerance for acts of hatred or violence. Antisemitism is despicable and has no place in our community. The university will pursue all action possible against anyone committing hate crimes on or near our campus."
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issued a statement about the incidents at Ohio State, saying, in part, "We will not tolerate hate and violence on our college campuses or anywhere in Ohio. These are despicable acts, and as Governor, I will ensure that the State continues our efforts to protect all Ohio students."
DeWine said he instructed the Ohio State Highway Patrol to coordinate with the Ohio State University Police Department and the Columbus Police Division of Police to provide extra patrols in the campus area.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Columbus police at 614-645-4545.