Islamophobic graffiti discovered Saturday morning in South St. Louis County has prompted a police investigation after officers found slurs spray-painted on concrete blocks and a nearby brick wall. Authorities reported no injuries and no immediate arrests.
According to First Alert 4, officers from the South Precinct were called shortly before 8:50 a.m. to the 3600 block of Bayless Avenue, where they located two concrete blocks covered in anti-Islamic slurs. Additional hateful writing was also found on a brick wall in the 600 block of Lemay Ferry Road.
Police response and how to report
St. Louis County police say there was no other property damage beyond the graffiti, no reported injuries and no suspects in custody as of Saturday. Investigators are asking anyone with information to call 636-529-8210, the department’s non-emergency line listed by the St. Louis County Police.
What the law covers
Missouri law allows prosecutors to seek enhanced penalties in cases where crimes are motivated by a victim’s religion, under RSMo §557.035, as published by the Missouri Revisor of Statutes. The state also defines institutional vandalism, which includes damage to buildings used for religious worship, in §574.085 on the same site, and that statute provides for higher penalties depending on the value of the damage.
Local context
Civil-rights advocates say incidents like this fit into a broader local pattern of anti-Muslim rhetoric. Earlier this year, the Council on American-Islamic Relations raised concerns after a Ballwin church posted and later removed an electronic sign labeling Islam “demonic,” as detailed by CAIR.
What residents can do
Police are asking witnesses not to confront anyone they believe may be responsible, and to save any video, photos or other potential evidence for investigators. Community members looking for support or guidance can also reach out to local civil-rights organizations while the South Precinct continues its inquiry.
