Hate crime charge added to student suspected of racist, homophobic campus vandalism

The Western Washington University student arrested Nov. 25 in connection with on-campus racist and homophobic vandalism has been charged with a hate crime.

Shayne Robert Merwin, 20, of Gold Bar is now facing one count of malicious harassment, Washington state’s felony hate crime statute, in addition to the second-degree burglary charge, also a felony, according to Whatcom County Superior Court records.

Merwin’s arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Friday.