Green paint was found splashed all over the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.D. (Getty Images)
Police are seeking a “person of interest” after someone defaced the Lincoln Memorial by splattering green paint on the statue’s pedestal and floor, reports NBC Washington.
The paint was discovered by a visitor around 1:30 a.m. Friday splashed on Lincoln’s lap and floor. No words, letters or symbols were written in the paint. Capt. Steven Booker says the defacing “appears intentional based off of the splatter.”
The memorial was closed, letting down many visitors who made their journey to the statue, only to be met with yellow caution tape.
“Everyone got up so early, and we were trying to take photos and go inside and take a look, but we were told we cannot go in,” one tourist said. “It was quite disappointing.”
U.S. Park Police closely reviewed surveillance footage for the memorial and allegedly are already seeking a person of interest.
Local joggers who usually run up and down the memorial’s steps as a part of their daily workouts are enraged at the message the defacing sends.
“People come from all over the world, and to show that they can’t get into one of our national landmarks because somebody vandalized it is kind of a black mark on our country,” said jogger Keith Gillespie.
“I have no idea who would want to do something like that,” said Scott Arndt, another jogger. “To me, it’s defacing America. It’s not just defacing the Lincoln Memorial, but it’s something against all of America.”