'Disappointing and heartbreaking': Video shows people vandalizing Breonna Taylor mural in Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Recently released surveillance video shows two people vandalizing a new mural of Breonna Taylor, a Black woman killed in March 2020 by police who were attempting to serve a search warrant at her home.
Police are investigating and a donor is offering a $2,500 reward for information.
The basketball court mural was unveiled earlier this month a day before what would have been Taylor's 28th birthday. The artist said the work will be repaired.
In a statement issued by the city, Breonna Taylor's mother, Tamika Palmer, called for charges.
"It's very disappointing and heartbreaking that other people of the community would go to this length to say a Black woman's life didn't matter, a woman who still deserves justice today," the statement said, in part. "But know that you did not hurt Breonna, the system already did that. What you did was hinder the healing process going on in the city."
The video, posted by the Louisville Metro Council, shows two people arriving at the mural on a motorbike last Tuesday night. They can be seen walking and driving back and forth over the mural, which was part of a recent renovation of Lannan Park, in Louisville's Portland neighborhood. One of the vandals had a flashlight.
The mural appeared to have tire tracks on it in three different places, according to video and photos from Antonio Taylor, an online radio personality and 502 Livestreamer.
Taylor, who is no relation to Breonna, posted a livestream video last Friday night and photos of the vandalism while he was at the court with several others.
He noted that security cameras were set up in the park as part of the installation.
"This was one of the fears," he said last week. "One of the fears was that this vandalism was going to happen. That's why they got the cameras up in a couple different spots. … There were some people in the Portland area who did not want this mural here."
The artist who created the mural, Comacell Brown Jr., said the work will be repaired.
"My team and I are disappointed and perplexed as to why someone would disrespect such a sentimental memorial that displays the unity and rebuild of a city and its communities after all they've been through," he said in a statement.
An anonymous donor is offering $2,500 for information on the suspects. To report any information, call the Louisville Metro Police anonymous tip line at 502-582-2583.
'This is about justice': Events, rallies mark 1-year anniversary of Breonna Taylor's death
Taylor was 26 when she was shot and killed by Louisville Metro Police officers attempting to serve a search warrant at her South Louisville apartment on March 13, 2020. Officers returned fire 32 times after Taylor's boyfriend fired what he has described as a warning shot against suspected intruders.
The officers were not charged in her death. Three detectives were fired and one recently retired.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether Louisville police has engaged in a pattern of abuse and Constitutional violations in the wake of the killing of Taylor and accusations of racial injustice.
Contributing: Billy Kobin. Reach Ayana Archie on Twitter @AyanaArchie.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Breonna Taylor mural in Louisville vandalized; video shows suspects
