Pittsburgh police are looking for two men suspected of using paintball guns to vandalize a Black Lives Matter mural Downtown Saturday.
The police department shared photos of the men walking near the mural along the Allegheny River, near Point State Park. One can be seen carrying a paintball gun in the photo. He was wearing a Confederate flag hoodie.
ALERT: Pittsburgh Police seek the public's help identifying two men who apparently shot paintballs at the Black Lives Matter mural Downtown.
— Pittsburgh Police (@PghPolice) September 22, 2020
If anyone knows the identities of these men, please contact police at (412) 323-7800.https://t.co/4nvB4dSMT5 pic.twitter.com/5F4pvwZoac
Police said social media video shows the men shooting multiple paintballs at the mural as they walk along the river.
This is the second reported act of vandalism at the mural since it was painted in June.
In July, unknown vandals spray-painted obscenities over the mural, as well as the word “thug” over the likeness of Antwon Rose Jr.
Rose, who was shot and killed by police officer from East Pittsburgh Borough while running from a traffic stop in 2018, is one of four faces featured in the mural.
It also features the likenesses of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, three Black Americans who were killed this year in incidents that incited widespread protests against police.
The artists of the mural did not receive permits to paint it, but Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto’s office said the city supports it, and will not clean or paint over it.
Anyone with information on the men’s identity is asked to call police at 412-323-7800.
