Vandalism damages World War II Memorial and triggers police response
The World War II Memorial on the National Mall was defaced with pink spray-paint lettering and a fountain was filled with bubbles, prompting U.S. Park Police to secure the site while an investigation continues.
U.S. Park Police cordoned off the World War II Memorial on the National Mall Thursday afternoon after vandals spray-painted the site with the words “Clean hands, dirty money” in bright pink. The incident was accompanied by a fountain on the memorial overflowing with bubbles, which attracted onlookers before the area was secured around 4 p.m.
The Department of the Interior released a statement describing the act as unacceptable and said the agency will pursue the responsible party. No suspect information was provided at the time, and the investigation remains ongoing.
"The World War II Memorial is a sacred place to honor the service of our members of the Armed Forces and the over 400,000 Americans who gave the ultimate sacrifice in WWII," the statement read.
Authorities continue to monitor the scene, and local news outlets are following the developing story.