Court records show the man accused of spray-painting a swastika inside a residence hall at the University of Maryland in September is African American.

Students were surprised to learn someone who is a member of a race which has been historically oppressed is accused of the hate-related incident.

"I guess it proves that you don't have to be a certain race to hate people, but I mean, it's just you would think that someone, especially from a race that has been subjected to hate before, you would think why would you want to reciprocate that to somebody else," said student Abby Gorun.

University of Maryland police say 52-year-old Ronald Alford Sr. was served a criminal summons on Thursday and faces several charges including destruction of property and disturbing the operations of a school. Alford will not be allowed back on campus.

Officials discovered the swastika painted on a trash cart at Hagerstown Hall, a residence hall on campus, on September 27.

FOX 5 went by an address listed for Alford and the man who came to the door said no comment when asked about the incident.


Police have not revealed if Alford has a connection to campus or how he accessed the residence hall. Students told FOX 5 the swastika was found inside on the fifth floor.