San Diego police are on the hunt for three suspects tied to a hate crime and vandalism incident in the Scripps Ranch Neighborhood. According to San Diego County Crime Stoppers, the trio targeted a residence on February 14, leaving behind anti-LGBTQ slurs spray-painted on a fence that bore the colors of the LGBTQ flag. The suspects also meddled with a “Hate Has No Home Here” sign, which was later found discarded further down the street.
Investigators are piecing together evidence and looking to the public to help quickly identify the individuals responsible for this attack. Security cameras at the home captured footage of the individuals before they removed and stole the camera. Dressed all in dark attire, they appeared to be males in their late teens or early twenties, with one suspect notably wearing Nike shoes and glasses. San Diego County Crime Stoppers released video of the event – a chilling reminder that the fight against hate is far from over.
The victim’s home seems to have become a repeated target for hate-fueled offenses, with several past incidences aimed at the fence. This repetition of hate acts suggests a pattern of intolerance that the community and police are determined to confront. San Diego GLBTQ+ Historic Task Force and the Hate Crime Fund partnered with Crime Stoppers are offering a $2,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest.
Authorities urge anyone with clues on the suspects' identity or whereabouts to immediately contact the SDPD’s Criminal Intelligence Unit at (619) 531-2331 or to leave an anonymous tip on the Crime Stoppers line at (888) 580-8477. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website or their mobile app, as they work to bring the perpetrators to justice and safeguard the community swiftly.
