Brianna Brochu, an 18-year-old Freshman at University of Hartford, faces hate crime charges after bragging about smearing her bodily fluids on her black roommate's belongings. [Courtesy of Harford Police / Facebook]
An 18-year-old student, Brianna Brochu, from the University of Hartford in Connecticut was arrested after her roommate, Chennel "Jazzy" Rowe, reported unexplainable pain in her throat and Brochu systematically poisoning and tampering her personal items.
Brochu is accused of spitting in coconut oil that belonged to her roommate who is black. She allegedly put moly clam dip in her lotion and rubbed used tampons on her roommate's backpack.
Rowe who was upset when she learned what Brochu had done and shared the story on her Facebook page. She said Brochu told her that she even put Rowe's toothbrush in a place "where the sun doesn't shine", according to her Facebook live video. She also posted photos of the items that had been tampered.
The video Rowe posted had 1.2 million views, over 17,000 reactions and shared over 27,000 times since it was posted on Monday.
In the video, Rowe explains how she stumbled upon Brochu's Instagram post in which she bragged what she had done. Brochu reportedly wrote, "Finally did it yo girl got rid of her roommate!! After 1 1/2 month of spitting in her coconut oil, putting moldy clam dip in her lotions... putting her toothbrush places where the sun doesn't shine, and so much more I can finally say goodbye Jamaican Barbie."
After the incident was reported to the school, the University of Harford removed Brochu from the school as of Wednesday, according to the university president Greg Woodward. He added, "She will not be returning to the institution."
Woodward explained in his statement that the action of Brochu "does not reflect the values of" the University of Hartford and Rowe was relocated to "a safe location". He continued, "The incident has brought about accusations of racism, and I want you to know that I hear and share your anger and frustration. Acts of racism, bias, bullying, or other abusive behaviors will not be tolerated on this campus. I pledged to do everything in my power to work with our community to address related concerns together."
Brochu appeared at Hartford Community Court Tuesday accompanied by her parents.
After the story made headlines in the major news media, social media was covered with outcry and support for Rowe.
Kwak, Min Jung = abiel@ajunews.com
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