University President Thomas LeBlanc said Monday that several staff members are staying in the Tau Kappa Epsilon house and officials are increasing police patrols in the area after a Torah scroll was​​ desecrated over the weekend.

LeBlanc said in an email to the GW community that the GW Police Department is actively working with the Metropolitan Police Department to identify the perpetrators. Greek life and residence hall staff are providing assistance to students directly affected by the vandalism, he said.

“The desecration of the Torah scroll is a direct and serious act of hate and an attack on Judaism and the Jewish people,” LeBlanc said. “Any act of antisemitism is an attack on the entire GW community and cannot, and will not, be tolerated.”

MPD is investigating the incident as a suspected hate crime, according to a police report.

LeBlanc said students with relevant information are asked to contact GWPD at 202-994-6111. He encouraged GW community members seeking support to utilize University resources, including the Office for Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement and Counseling and Psychological Services.

“I am committed to providing all resources necessary to this investigation and to supporting our community,” he said. “During this difficult time, I trust that our students, faculty, staff and alumni will come together to support one another and to ensure that we continue the work of building the welcoming and inclusive University that our community has come to expect and deserves.”

Zachary Blackburn contributed reporting.