Reward offered in paint attacks across Vicksburg

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, November 25, 2003

(11/25/03)Cash is being offered for information about graffiti painted on public and private property across Warren County during the past week.

Crimestoppers, the local crime-fighting organization, is offering a $250 reward for a tip that leads to an arrest, District Attorney Gil Martin said Monday.

Vicksburg National Military Park and local authorities were continuing their investigation this morning, supervisory park ranger Patty Montague said.

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“We’re working together, and the investigation is ongoing,” Montague said of park, Warren County Sheriff’s Department and the Vicksburg Police Department personnel.

People with information may contact any law-enforcement official or the District Attorney’s Office at 636-5754.

The first graffiti was reported Thursday in 16 places, 12 belonging to the Civil War park and four church buildings, all with “Church of Christ” in their names. The most recent report of a graffiti discovery was received Sunday morning by Vicksburg police.

The park graffiti was spray-painted on memorials, monuments, pedestals and cannons. Ten of the vandalized areas were along the 13-mile northern loop of the 1,728-acre park’s main tour road. The other two were on park cannons in separate park areas off Washington Street near the Mississippi River bridges.

The message found in most places there was “Jesus is coming. Repent y’all.”

Since, the number has grown to 21. Graffiti has been found on the exteriors of three additional houses of worship, a VNMP state memorial outside the park along Confederate Avenue and an outdoor-restroom building at Riverfront Park on Sunday morning.

Martin said handwriting analysis indicates the same person painted the letters in at least two areas.

Graffiti painted in red was found in 11 locations, 10 inside the park Thursday and at Anshe Chesed Temple, 2414 Grove St., on Saturday; in green on five, the four local Church of Christ buildings and St. Michael Catholic Church off Fisher Ferry Road; in black on two, Hawkins United Methodist Church, 3736 Halls Ferry Road, and a restroom at Riverfront Park off Washington Street; in white on two, both VNMP cannons on Louisiana and Navy circles off Washington Street; and one in blue, the North Carolina memorial off Confederate Avenue.

Variations on the message found in the main military park area that have been found include “Jesus is coming. Please repent,” and, on a church building under construction, “Souls important, not buildings,” both at Hawkins United Methodist.

The restroom was also painted with “Jesus is coming. Please repent.”

The churches found painted Thursday were Bypass Church of Christ, 787 U.S. 61 North; Church of Christ, 725 Mission 66; Church of Christ – Warrenton, 150 Redbone Road; and Vicksburg Church of Christ, 3333 N. Frontage Road.