Police say vandals scrawled several messages of hate across the outside of West Islip High School.

Investigators say the "N" word was spray painted in black paint on five different areas of the high school's façade. Vandals also painted over "West Islip" to read "White Islip." With an investigation ongoing, police say they're unsure if the graffiti is a hate crime or if it's gang-related. Parents and students say they're very upset and expressed fear something worse could happen.

According to the West Islip superintendent, students from a rival school likely scribed the graffiti. Police ask anyone with information regarding the incident to call Suffolk County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.