CLEVELAND — Deputies are investigating a possible hate crime after racial slurs were found spray painted on a home after an explosion early Wednesday morning, according to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department in Ohio.
The house in the 6700 block of Spruce Street in Sterling, Ohio, had a minor electrical fire July 3. The couple who lived there, a white man and a black woman, were staying elsewhere during repairs, deputies said.
Around 1 a.m., neighbors reported an explosion at the home. When deputies arrived, they found racial slurs spray painted on the property, according to deputies.
A swastika, in addition to other racial slurs, were found spray painted on a detached garage.
The couple has lived in the home for 23 years. They said they were having some suspicions and were going to put up trail cameras yesterday, but storms prevented that. The woman who owns the home said she feels helpless and disgusted that someone would do this.
Wayne County House Explosion: This is the message the homeowner has for whoever did this. pic.twitter.com/y29pXC1czJ
— Meg Shaw (@MegDShaw) August 7, 2019
Although the couple was not home during the explosion, the sheriff's office said they are sifting through rubble to make sure there is no one is buried under everything.
Wayne County House Explosion: Being investigated as a hate crime. Homeowner tells me they found racial slurs painted on neighbors home and cars. She tells me she feels helpless and disgusted that someone would do this. Thankfully she & her husband weren’t home when it happened. pic.twitter.com/r2pEPk9s1n
— Meg Shaw (@MegDShaw) August 7, 2019
No injuries were reported in the incident, deputies said.
The FBI is assisting in the investigation.
The incident is being investigated as an arson.
This story was originally published by Camryn Justice on WEWS .
