Teen Arrested for Spray-Painting Hate Symbols in North Carolina

A teenager in North Carolina, identified as Taquon Jameek Vereen, has reportedly caused distress in his community recently. At just 18 years old, he was taken into custody on May 2 after police in Fayetteville received reports of a suspect who had spray-painted a swastika on a building. It appears social media videos may link him to additional vandalism involving similar symbols on other local properties.

According to police, Vereen was arrested without incident. He faces multiple charges, including two counts of criminal damage to real property and one count of second-degree criminal trespassing. The charges stem from allegations that he defaced public property—like two stop signs and a traffic light control box—as well as a convenience store.

The Fayetteville Police Department referred to him as an “18-year-old black male,” although some reports did not specify his ethnicity. The swastika has been labeled a “symbol of hatred,” strongly related to Nazi and white supremacist ideologies.

Following his arrest, Vereen posted bail on May 6 in connection with the spray-painting incidents. However, it wasn’t long before he found himself back in police custody. Just six days later, on May 12, he was apprehended while allegedly pointing a handgun at bystanders and cars on a roadway.

When officers arrived at the scene—approximately half a mile from the site of previous vandalism—they noticed Vereen attempting to flee. He was apprehended, and a handgun was found at the location, according to police reports.

As a result of this second incident, Vereen has now been charged with assault while armed, terrorizing others, and pointing a gun. As of Thursday morning, he was not listed as an inmate in the Cumberland County Detention Center, yet jail representatives confirmed he remains in custody with a hearing scheduled for that afternoon.

Attempts to reach his public defender for comments were unsuccessful.