COLUMBIA, Mo., March 4 (UPI) -- Police at the University of Missouri say two students were arrested for allegedly placing cotton balls around the school's Gaines/Oldham Black Cultural Center.
The Kansas City (Mo.) Star said Wednesday freshman Sean D. Fitzgerald, 19, and senior Zachary E. Tucker, 21, were arrested on charges of second-degree tampering for last week's incident.
Because authorities suspect the placement of the cotton balls on the center's lawn, walkway and bushes was racially motivated, the charges against the students were raised to Class D felony status.
Last Friday's incident took place during Black History Month and prompted concerns about potentially intensified racial tensions at the university, the Star said.
Fitzgerald and Tucker are free on $4,500 bond each and are due to appear at a March 29 hearing.
University of Missouri Chancellor Brady Deaton said both students will be temporarily suspended for the incident in Columbia, Mo.
