The Federal Bureau of Investigation has announced a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the September 2003 vandalism of the Inhalation Toxicology Research Facility near the University’s School of Veterinary Medicine.
On Sept. 24, 2003, someone broke into the lab, damaging parts of the facility and equipment and causing several hundred thousands of dollars in damage.
Later that day, the Reveille received an anonymous e-mail claiming the Animal Liberation Front destroyed the lab. According to their Web site, “the ALF acts directly to stop animal suffering at members’ risks of losing their own freedom.”
The e-mail claimed that equipment used in animal experiments was destroyed, red paint was splashed around the lab and computers were destroyed.
Kristan Roetker, School of Veterinary Medicine public relations coordinator, said the school has estimated the damage to be about $250,000.
LSUPD Maj. Mark Shaw said some materials were able to be salvaged, lowering the initial estimate.
Shaw said authorities have not determined whether or not local individuals were involved in the vandalism, which violated several state laws, including burglary, damage to property and interference with a research institution or facility.
FBI Special Agent Sheila Thorne said authorities also are pursuing the vandalism as a potential act of domestic terrorism.
Thorne said, although authorities are offering the reward several months after the actual vandalism occurred, the timing is not unusual for such cases.
“The reward is just one more tool in reaching a solution,” Thorne said.
Anyone with any information on the vandalism can contact the Baton Rouge FBI office at 291-5159.