NYC Police Investigate Hate Crime Vandalism at Churches: Seeking Suspect with Pride Flag
The New York City police are seeking a suspect who defaced three churches with anti-Christian messages while carrying a Pride flag during a 20-minute hate crime spree. The suspect, wearing a rainbow face covering and pushing a bicycle, vandalized two churches in Far Rockaway, Queens, with the words "anti-gay cult" before moving on to St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church, where they spray-painted "Welcome Cult Members" and defaced religious statues.
Security footage captured the suspect in the act, and the NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the incidents as multiple acts of criminal mischief and a hate crime. The Rev. Francis Shannon of St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church expressed sadness over the vandalism, emphasizing the need for dialogue and non-violent ways to address frustrations.
Shannon believes the graffiti does not represent the broader LGBTQ community and views the suspect's actions as more of a statement against institutions rather than a hate crime. He encourages the vandal to seek peaceful means of expression and communication rather than resorting to violence.