Overview
- The eight-foot bronze statue installed to mark the one-year anniversary was found smeared with red paint Sunday morning, with paint across the face and neck and a nearby memorial sign showing the word “Jesus” crossed out.
- Turning Point USA said it is reviewing overnight surveillance footage, cooperating with Phoenix police, and will restore the statue and replace damaged signs.
- Phoenix officers taped off the scene after receiving calls around 8 a.m. and confirmed an active investigation but had not identified any suspects as of Sunday evening.
- The statue had been unveiled on September 10, and the vandalism comes while the accused shooter, Tyler Robinson, has pleaded not guilty and faces a prosecution that is seeking the death penalty with a pretrial hearing set for October 23.
- Supporters and local officials condemned the defacement, and Turning Point leaders have said the episode underscores security concerns and the way memorials for polarizing figures become focal points in wider partisan conflict.