A library in South Carolina named after a victim killed by avowed white supremacist Dylann Roof was one of three locations in the area targeted with racist graffiti.
The graffiti was discovered Monday morning in Charleston’s West Ashley area, where one or more vandals spray painted racist and homophobic phrases, including, “Go back to hell black women.” At the nearby Stephens Aquatic Center, graffiti said “fuck yall white devil,” according to ABC News. It took several hours to remove.
Cynthia Graham Hurd Library was one of the targets. Hurd was killed in 2015 during a bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church by Roof. He also killed Susie Jackson, Rev. Daniel Simmons, Ethel Lance, Tywanza Sanders, the Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Myra Thompson and Rev. Clementa Pinckney, the pastor of the church.
Roof was sentenced to death in January.
“There’s no place for this sort of deplorable act in our community,” Charleston County Councilman Vic Rawl told the Post and Courier. “Our libraries are places of education and growth for children, and we’ll assist law enforcement in any way possible.”
The targeted locations were just a few miles away from each other. No suspects have been identified yet, Charleston Police Department spokesman Charles Francis told the publication.
“We’re taking it all very seriously,” Francis said.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call 843-743-7200 and ask for a detective, or Crime Stoppers at 843-554-1111.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story said all incidents took place at libraries in the area. Graffiti was found at one library, an aquatic center, and a home.