WEST LAFAYETTE Ind.
Officials don’t know why someone left a noose made from a sweatshirt hood drawstring hanging in a Purdue University library.
The noose was found at the Humanities, Social Sciences and Education library in Stewart Center about 11:30 p.m. Sunday, said university spokesman Joe Bennett. An employee found the 18-inch-long noose hanging from a hole in a desk backboard in an isolated study area.
“The noose was small and wasn’t left in an area where it would have been generally visible,” said Lt. Fred Davis, a Purdue police detective.
“Given the circumstances and the currently available evidence, it is not possible to interpret the intent of the individual who left this object in the library.”
Police are investigating the incident, which occurred a few days after a “Jena Six” rally.
The six black teens known as the “Jena Six” were arrested after a December 2006 attack on Justin Barker, who was knocked unconscious.
