UPDATE: Knoxville, TN (WOKI) – A New Jersey teenager has been charged in connection with vandalism to a Smokey statue on the University of Tennessee campus.
UTPD says 19-year-old Beckett E. Nachtman is charged with felony vandalism after damage was discovered at the Smokey statue outside Gate 21 on October 10.
Investigators say Nachtman is not affiliated with UT and was visiting people on campus at the time.
ORIGNAL STORY: KNOXVILLE, TN (WOKI / WVLT) – The University of Tennessee Police Department is investigating after a popular Smokey statue on campus was vandalized just hours before a football game weekend.
According to Ryan Moore, spokesperson for the university police department, officers were notified Saturday morning that the statue had been damaged overnight Friday.
The vandalism occurred near Gate 21 Plaza on the University of Tennessee campus.
Officials said the statue’s head had been broken off from the body.
Smoky statue vandalized on UT campus (WVLT)
No suspects have been identified, and investigators have not released information about what may have led to the damage.
As the investigation continues, university officials have covered the damaged statue with a white tarp and secured the area with black tape and temporary fencing.
The University of Tennessee Police Department said detectives are working to determine who was responsible for the vandalism and how the damage occurred.
“Additional details will be released when they become available,” Moore said.
The Smokey statues located throughout campus are popular landmarks and gathering points for students, alumni, and fans, particularly during football season.
University officials have not announced when repairs to the damaged statue may begin or the estimated cost of the damage.
The investigation remains ongoing.
