Authorities in Daviess County are investigating a possible hate crime.
The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office reports deputies responded to the 68-hundred block of HWY 2830 in Owensboro on Wednesday after receiving reports of racial slurs being painted on the side of the complainant’s trailer.
During the course of the investigation, the victim reportedly told deputies his door had been kicked in by the suspect, who the victim chased off of the steps and into the yard. At that time, police say the victim said he punched the suspect, who then fled from the yard. The victim then stated he noticed his trailer had been spray painted with racial slurs by someone.
Around 3:00 a.m. Thursday, deputies say they were called back to the residence when the victims found a two-foot tall wooden cross burning in their yard.
According to the sheriff’s office, detectives spent the day interviewing the victims, potential witnesses and the suspect in the trailer park. They say the investigation is continuing and they will contact the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office upon completion of their investigation. Detectives have also contacted the FBI to make them aware of the possible hate crime. In addition, authorities indicate local NAACP officials were contacted and made aware of the situation and the ongoing investigation.