Cynthia Hurd Library among targets of vandalism containing racial slurs

Charleston police are currently investigating several cases of vandalism that took place over the weekend in locations around West Ashley, including the library dedicated to Emanuel AME Church shooting victim Cynthia Hurd.

Early last Friday morning, around 7 a.m., officers responded to W.L. Stephens Aquatic Center at 780 West Oak Forest Dr. There police found profanity and racial slurs spray-painted on a rear storage area and the basketball court. A park employee told police that there was no graffiti when the pool and park closed the night prior.

That morning, an officer found the words “Fuck Yall White Devil” written on the front door of a storage shed in black paint, as well as the messages “No Crackers Allowed,” “All White Men are Faggots LOL” written on a handicapped parking spot, according to an incident report. The report also states that “Full Yall Wet Backs and Spics” was painted across the basketball court.

An incident report from February states that police had previously located racial slurs written in red spray paint across a mechanical building on park property. According to the report, the message read, “Don’t Date White Women Niggas.”

The following Monday morning, police reported to a nearby residence on Playground Road to find racial slurs painted on the home and profanity written on the owner’s vehicle.

Three hours later, police responded to Cynthia Graham Hurd St. Andrews Library in reference to profanity and racial slurs painted on the building and the walkway. In addition to other messages, scrawled across the brick wall at the entrance of the library were the words “GO to HELL Black Women, FUCK Crackers, FUCK da Police,” according to an incident report.

According to a statement from the Charleston Police Department, investigators are trying to determine if the incidents are related.

Anyone with information can call (843)743-7200 and ask for the on-duty detective or contact Crime Stoppers at (843)554-1111.