Police: Tacoma church vandalism could be hate crime
TACOMA, Wash. -- Police are investigating a possible hate crime at a Tacoma church.
Vandals broke six windows at the Holy Cross Catholic Church sometime late Monday night, according to police. Worshipers leaving midnight mass first saw and reported the damage.
The vandals also left "hate related paperwork" at the scene, according to the Tacoma News Tribune.
"It really weighs heavy when you think about it," said church official Steve Mullen. "You think, 'Why Christmas Eve?"
Church officials say the site has been vandalized at least four times in the past.
"It's an older parish and has seen a lot of things in their lifetime," Mullen said. "And I feel bad because they put a lot of time and money in building this years ago."
Vandals broke six windows at the Holy Cross Catholic Church sometime late Monday night, according to police. Worshipers leaving midnight mass first saw and reported the damage.
The vandals also left "hate related paperwork" at the scene, according to the Tacoma News Tribune.
"It really weighs heavy when you think about it," said church official Steve Mullen. "You think, 'Why Christmas Eve?"
Church officials say the site has been vandalized at least four times in the past.
"It's an older parish and has seen a lot of things in their lifetime," Mullen said. "And I feel bad because they put a lot of time and money in building this years ago."
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The 2 most sacred Catholic celebrations are Easter and Xmas. St James Cathedral (downtown Seattle) gets graffiti every Easter morning-- satanic symbols and etc.
Some hate in the comment section I see. Just the mention of anything Christian in an article brings it out. Kind of sad.
"Why Christmas Eve?" Let me think...probably because if you are going to vandalize or commit a hate crime, you would want to do it when it will have the greatest impact. That being said, it sucks for those who attended Church on Christmas and had to be cold during their Mass.
Oh!!! I guess somebody just found out catholic was just a pegan religion...  Good for you...  You should never fall for the false prophets these days...
Has there been any abused altar boy from this CATHOLIC church?
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Komo's trying to spin this into a hate crime for more ratings. lol. The only reason why I visit Komo's webpage is for the commenting section. I haven't watched Komo for serious news reporting in years.Â
lame reporting as usual - hmm, how 'bout "what was this hate related paperwork saying?"
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seems like a simple yet vital part of the story.
Hate Crime? It wasn't for love and affection. These hate crime designations are so much B.S. Vandals do these things because it makes them feel superior-they are sick. Christians have co-oped this winter celebration, but that is no reason to rain on their parade. It's their business, although all the hoop la of the season is a pain in the....
 @contraryjim Well, look at it this way - if they do get convicted of a "hate crime" they go away for a longer period of time.
Would you object to that?
"Police: Tacoma church vandalism could be hate crime". The criminals wrote hateful messages. Why would KOMO's headline read anything other than it being a hate crime. Because it's against Christians and not gays or blacks, that's why.
@Magic 8 Ball Assumptions. Assumptions everywhere. It could be Protestant on Catholic hate for all you know. It could be a number of things.Â
 @Magic 8 Ball The Tacoma News Tribune reported that a piece of paperwork that had a hate related message written on it. That's what made it a hate related crime.
 @Magic 8 Ball What are you trying to say?  If the messages were hateful, then it could be a hate crime.  There are all types of vandalism, however this one could possibly be a hate crime.  Also, not only gays and blacks, but all races, genders, religion, and demographics, for that matter, can be attacked by hate.