COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. (WANE) – People are calling the vandalism of a Columbia City cemetery shocking and disgusting. Someone vandalized about 40 grave markers with spray paint at Greenhill Cemetery late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
Symbols and drawings were sprayed all over the burial ground. One grave marker read “all hail Satan.” Another said “suck my thumb.” There were also some with derogatory language towards cops and God.
“I was shocked and just kind of in disbelief that somebody would do this at a cemetery,” said visitor Charles Little.
He and his son, Anthony Little, are relieved to see their little Abigail’s grave marker was not affected. She was 4-years-old when she died in a car crash.
“That would have been very devastating,” Charles said. “I can imagine what these people are thinking on their grave sites of their loved ones.”
Anthony comes to see her grave marker everyday during his lunch break.
“Even though it wasn’t her headstone, still being part of it down here it just makes me sick.”
Anthony is also a part of the two man Columbia City cleaning crew that’s assigned to cleaning up the vandalism. They started with basic cleaning liquids and water, but weren’t making any progress. They’re trying to be careful about how they tackle it.
“A Lot of these headstones have been around for 200 years and you don’t want to offend those people and their families if we mess those up any worse than what has already been done,” Anthony said.
Anthony said that it may not be easy, but they’re going to give their best to restore the grave markers. They’re going to make some calls about what to try next.
“As long as it takes I guess just to clean it up because people don’t have to come down here and see this when they go pay respects to their family or friends,” he said.
Columbia City Police said they received some tips over the weekend. They’re offering a $500 reward for any information leading to the arrest of those responsible. Those with information are encouraged to call them.