
By Blake Haas
CHAMPAIGN – A University of Illinois student from Normal has been arrested after a noose was found hanging in a residence hall elevator.
University of Illinois police arrested Andrew Smith, 19, at his residence hall on Monday. Smith faces charges for disorderly conduct and a hate crime, which is a felony.
Police were called Sunday to Allen Hall after residence staff found a rope tied into a noose hanging inside an elevator.
Smith has been released from jail after posting a $500 cash bond. He’s to appear for a pretrial conference in Champaign County court Oct. 22.
Gov. JB Pritzker sent out several tweets Tuesday in regards to the incident.
Our university campuses welcome students from all backgrounds as they come together to learn from each other, to learn from their professors, and to learn how to build thriving communities.
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) September 3, 2019
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the U of I police at 217-333-1216.
Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].