Person of interest in custody in Grant Park cross burning
Police have taken into custody a person of interest in a cross burning in Grant Park last week — an incident that alarmed officials, faith leaders and the community.
No charges have been announced. The cross was burned the afternoon of June 9. Police have been investigating as an arson, as some local officials called for the person, when caught, to be charged with a hate crime.
The police update comes after NBC 5 reported Monday night that it had interviewed a 21-year-old man who said he was the person shown in images released by Chicago police and admitted to setting up and burning the cross. The person interviewed, who identified himself as a UIC senior named Merlin Lu, has not been enrolled at the school since the fall of 2025, according to a statement released by the school.
“UIC is aware of the cross-burning incident, the criminal investigation into that incident, and the comments Merlin Lu made to the media,” the statement said. “An individual by that name was a student at UIC but has not been enrolled with the university since the fall of 2025,” the statement, which added that because of federal privacy laws and the ongoing criminal investigation, the university was unable to provide further details.
The FBI, when reached Tuesday by a Sun-Times reporter, said they had no updates.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Video posted on social media shows a wooden cross burning as it leans against a tree and flames spread onto the bark of the tree trunk.
Keinika Carlton
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