Flagstaff elementary school vandalized, closed for clean up

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Flagstaff Police officials say an elementary school in the Northern Arizonan city had to close down for the day Wednesday, after a vandalism incident caused extensive damage to the school building.

"It's a violation," said Killip Elementary School principal Joe Gutierrez. "It's a violation. This is their school, and they take great pride in their school."

According to a statement released by Sgt. Cory Runge Wednesday afternoon, school staff members reported the damage Wednesday morning. Afterwards, investigators arrived and collected evidence, including video.

Police say this is the second incident of the kind at Kilip Elementary within the week. Suspects reportedly broke into the school on July 29, and caused significant damage by breaking more than 20 windows and shattering a trophy case.

"Some accomplishments from years and years, generations and generations of kids that are lost," said Gutierrez.

Teachers and administrators are hoping to turn the break-ins into a lesson that stresses the importance of community.

"The message was that when things like this happen in your community, you do the best you can to work together, and even become stronger," said Gutierrez.

It is currently not clear if the same suspects are behind both break-ins, and there is a $1,000 reward for information leading to the suspects' arrests.

"We will catch who is doing this, and they will have to pay the consequences," said Gutierrez.

If you have any information, you're asked to call police at 928-774-1414 or Silent Witness at 928-774-6111.