Three juveniles arrested for property damage and arson on campus

Editor’s Note: This story is developing and will be updated when more information is available.

By Claire Schneider and Roxy Osborne

Three juveniles are in custody for damaging property and committing arson on U of L’s campus.

The arrests follow reports of arson in the School of Music and vandalism at the Belknap Academic Building. The incidents occurred overnight on Sept. 29.

School of Music arson

On the lower level of the School of Music, an individual appeared to have started a fire by placing materials in a microwave and turning it on. According to a later email from the U of L Office of Communications and Marketing, the building was searched and determined to be safe.

Students were initially made aware of the incident through a SafeZone notification at 7:33 a.m. and were informed they could reenter the building at 7:59 a.m. ULPD says they have identified leads and are currently pursuing them.

The lower level copy room is sectioned off with caution tape.

Belknap Academic Building vandalism

In addition to the arson, property in two rooms and a second-floor statue in the BAB were damaged in a series of vandalistic acts.

BAB 131 and 151 have broken property. All classes in BAB 131 were relocated to various classrooms in the BAB and Bingham Humanities Building. BAB 131 has a defaced monitor inside the classroom.

A damaged monitor has a large gash on the screen, Sept. 29, 2026. (Photo by Emma Posey / The Louisville Cardinal)

In addition to property in the rooms, the “Dreams of Wind and Grass” statue on the second floor of the BAB was also damaged. The glass statue has duct tape on the affected areas.

Duct tape covers damaged pieces of the “Dreams of Wind and Grass” statue on the second floor of the Belknap Academic Building, Sept. 26, 2026. (Photo by Emma Posey / The Louisville Cardinal)

The ULPD Detective Sergeant, Davonte Crook, told The Louisville Cardinal that no violence was involved.

ULPD asks students and staff to report anything unusual and they are advised to prioritize their safety by doing the following: