The Simmons community is shaken after beloved mascot Stormy the Shark (they/them) was arrested for shoplifting $1,252.83 worth of product over six months from Fenway Target and has been charged with grand larceny. 

The official charges state that Stormy was apprehended with Essie nail polish, a succulent Lego set, and two Juneberry Red Bulls that they did not pay for. Online, former Target employees have stated that Target can calculate when you have stolen a certain dollar amount of items to then charge you with a felony. Target Corporation has confirmed this with a press release about Stormy’s arrest, which included a full list of dates and amounts stolen from Target. 

Stormy has posted $10,000 bail and faces up to 5 years in prison, and a $20,000 fine. Students have organized protests to release Stormy until their court date, including a sit-in outside of the Simmons University Police office. Emmanuel College mascot and rumored partner, Halo the St. Bernard created a GoFundMe to cover legal costs, which has raised $3,505.

A letter has been signed by unnamed undergraduate admissions ambassadors and orientation leaders to ask university President Lynn Perry Wooten not to fire Stormy after this infraction. Junior Chemistry major, orientation leader, and colleague to Stormy, Joy Wilson, has championed the #FreeStormy movement. “Good for them. I support Stormy’s rights and their wrongs,” Wilson said at a student-led protest, “be gay and do crime.”

Even though this news has caused havoc on campus, not all students are shaken by this. “Honestly not surprised, that’s kinda (sic) in character for them,” senior Communications major Christina Ferrari said. “They stole my shampoo once and then ghosted me when I asked for it back. And my tech deck collection.”

A court date has not been set, but the Simmons community is sure to bite back.