ASHEBORO, N.C. — Fences have been erected around a Confederate monument at the Historic Randolph County Courthouse after it was vandalized with spray paint last week.
The statue, located on Worth Street, was vandalized sometime on Nov. 22, and volunteers cleaned it within hours, according to the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident. Detectives located surveillance footage showing two males dressed in dark clothing and white shoes spray-painting the monument the night of Nov. 22, according to a statement from the sheriff’s office.
The suspects parked a vehicle in the area, walked to the monument, vandalized it and returned to their vehicle, which is believed to be dark in color and possibly a 2010 to 2015 Hyundai Elantra.
“Preserving memorials to Confederate veterans is the right thing to do,” the Sons of Confederate Veterans said in a statement. “These veterans answered the call of their State and sacrificed their lives in defense of their families, friends, and neighbors.”
The monument has been at the center of controversy and protests for years. The City of Asheboro passed a resolution in September supporting the statue’s relocation.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact 911, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office at 336-318-6699 or Crime Stoppers at 336-672-7463. The Randolph County Crime Stoppers has approved a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible.
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