Rainbow Flag Vandal Targets Churches in New York City with Anti-Christian Graffiti
A vandal carrying a rainbow flag targeted three churches in New York City with "anti-Christian" graffiti, as reported by the police who are currently searching for the suspect. The individual, who was seen carrying a Pride flag and wearing a rainbow face covering, was caught on camera vandalizing the churches in Far Rockaway, Queens, during the early hours of October 5. The first church targeted was the Refuge Church of Christ at 18-37 Mott Avenue around 1:40 a.m.
Shortly after, at 1:44 a.m., the same suspect defaced the City of Oasis Church of Deliverance, located just 100 feet away at 18-74 Mott Avenue. The vandal then proceeded to target St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church at 19-20 New Haven Avenue around 2 a.m., where they painted on the front of the church and over the faces of two religious statues. The specific nature of the "anti-Christian statements" was not disclosed by the police.
The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is treating the incidents as "multiple acts of criminal mischief as a hate crime." The investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend the individual responsible for the vandalism.