Chicago police investigating after attempt to pull down McKinley Park statue, monument spray-painted

ByABC 7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Chicago police investigating after attempt to pull down McKinley Park statue, monument spray-painted
Chicago police are investigating after a person or group tried to pull down a statue on the city's Southwest Side.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A statue in Chicago's Southwest Side Brighton Park neighborhood was vandalized early Wednesday morning, according to law enforcement officials.

Chicago police said an unknown person or group vandalized a statue on city of Chicago property just before 4 a.m. A rope was thrown around it in an attempt to bring it down with a vehicle, and the statue was spray-painted with graffiti, police said.

No one was in custody later Wednesday, and police did not have a description of whomever committed the act.

RELATED: Chicago Christopher Columbus statues in Grant Park, Little Italy removed by city; some aldermen blindsided, others applauding decision

Chicago's two Christopher Columbus statues were taken down overnight, leaving opinion sharply divided among residents. THe mayor said they were removed for public safety reasons.

The statue is in the 3700-block of South Archer Avenue, and appeared to be a monument to William McKinley in McKinley Park.

Area One detectives are investigating.

This is a developing story; check back with ABC 7 Chicago for updates.