OU Police Department confirmed it is investigating damage to the Engineering Quad fountain.

Chase Brooks, OUPD public information officer, said in a Tuesday morning phone call officers responded to an incident at the Engineering Quad at 1:07 a.m. Friday. Brooks confirmed the fountain was damaged by people.

“The person that was involved with it has been identified, and we’re looking into what is going to become of that,” Brooks said.

Brooks said he could not provide more detail because of a possibility of litigation related to the incident. He confirmed there were a few people present at the scene.

“It remains to see whether this is just a criminal investigation or whether this was an accident,” Brooks said. “That’s what we’re kind of trying to navigate here.”

A photo taken at 1:22 p.m. Saturday obtained by OU Daily shows the top of the Engineering Quad fountain and its basins toppled over onto the ground and broken from its water spout and base. Brooks confirmed that the dark red substance surrounding the stone base was blood. 

Engineering Quad fountain damaged

The damaged fountain in the Engineering Quad at 1:22 p.m. April 25, 2026.

Brooks said EMS and Norman Fire Department also responded at the scene. 

The fountain damage has been removed and cleared, according to Daily staff who visited the site Monday morning.

In a Wednesday email to the Daily, Matthew Rom, vice president of Facilities Management, wrote that Facilities Management masons determined the fountain was beyond repair.

According to Rom, estimated replacement costs range from $10,000 to $15,000 and will be covered through Facilities Management maintenance funds.

"Facilities Management intends to replace the fountain, though a timeline has not yet been established. Fabrication of a replacement fountain typically requires approximately 8–12 weeks once an order is placed," Rom wrote.

OU Marketing and Communications did not respond to questions Monday regarding the fountain damage and repair cost and timeline. OU Marketing and Communications directed the Daily to reach out to OUPD. 

Willie Gillespie contributed to the reporting of this story.

This story was edited by Natalie Armour and Macey Thaxton.

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