Two at Fort Hood suspected of racist graffiti, sparking barracks fire

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The Army’s Criminal Investigation Division has identified two people suspected of spray-painting racial slurs and genitalia on barracks walls before intentionally starting a fire in a barracks laundry room, confirmed army officials.

The Fort Hood Fire Department arrived at the barracks around 1 a.m. Saturday after a fire alarm sounded, according to a statement from the Texas facility. Fire crews extinguished two separate fires before the building sustained significant damage and personnel were evacuated without incident, the statement added.

Later, during a tour of the building, military police officers were told by the personnel duty officer that the building’s walls and windows had been vandalized and the paint appeared to be fresh, the statement said. .

Photos shared with Army Times show three separate walls, at least one appearing to be outdoors and one in a hallway with the word N painted in large print.

The suspect(s) also sprayed painted male genitalia over a sink adjacent to what appear to be burnt-out washing and drying machines. Military.com first reported the incident.

Two individuals have been identified as suspects in what Army CID is investigating an arson attack. (Courtesy of usawtfm)

The actions of these persons of interest are inconsistent with Army values, Fort Hood director of public affairs Tom Rheinlander said in a statement to the Military Times.

The suspects’ motivation behind the desecration of the barracks has yet to be reported, but the incident bears a striking resemblance to a series of other recent episodes of bigotry and vandalism, including one such incident earlier this month here at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.

Both incidents of discrimination appear to be inspired by white nationalism, which the Department of Defense continues to fight. Although the prevalence of extremism in the ranks is considered low, soldiers and veterans are often targeted by extremist groups for their training and knowledge.

Far-right groups like the Oath Keepers, many of whose members were convicted for their role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, have been identified as organizations that target current and former service members.

The Army CID said it was investigating the incident this weekend as a suspected arson, according to the statement.

Fort Hood officials have not yet shared the identities of the suspects, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. The two people are said to have recently arrived at the facility.

Jon Simkins is a writer and editor for Military Times and a USMC veteran.

Jonathan is the editor and publisher of the Early Bird Brief newsletter for Military Times. Follow him on Twitter @lehrfeld_media

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