State Street in Montpelier vandalized

Update: Montpelier police have released photos of a possible suspect in Sunday morning's vandalism that occurred on State Street.

Eyewitness accounts describe this person as a white male around 50 years old, approximately 5 feet, 8 inches tall and 170 pounds, with scruffy facial hair. His clothing was described as a dark colored brimmed hat, a dark, loose jacket, and blue jeans. He may have been present downtown and in the area of the Statehouse during the mural painting the previous day.

An area of State Street in Montpelier has been vandalized with graffiti. The graffiti is right next to a Black Lives Matter mural, which was painted less than 24 hours ago.

Montpelier police say they found the graffiti early Sunday morning on the city sidewalk and Vermont Statehouse walkway across from the Vermont DMV building, located at 120 State Street.

According to police, some of the messages referred to government spending, but none appear to reference the “Black Lives Matter” community mural project. However, police say mud and dirt was placed on the road over the letter "v" in "lives."

Vermont House Speaker, Mitzi Johnson, released a statement regarding the vandalism calling the people responsible, "cowards."

Vermont Governor Phil Scott said in a statement, "“Early this morning, in an effort to fuel hate and division, the Black Lives Matter painting in front of the State House was vandalized. This painting serves as an important reminder to make equity a priority and use this movement to drive real action and long overdue change. This act of vandalism only reinforces that we’re not immune to racism, divisiveness and hate in Vermont. We must redouble our efforts to dismantle systemic racism and bigotry, and stay united as Vermonters."

The vandalism is under investigation and anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Montpelier Police Department at (802) 223-3445.