Washington County church vandalism being investigated as hate crime

Officials said several vandalism cases reported in Washington and Unicoi counties are being investigated as possible hate crimes.

On Monday, February 5, officials said the cases had all happened within the past 24 hours. According to WJHL, Enon Baptist Church congregants in Washington County said someone had spray painted upside-down crosses on a couple church vans. The vandals targeted the vans' windows and tires as well, breaking and slashing them.

Congregant Greg Stanton said he's driven the vans for 15 years to transport children to and from events, and this vandalism breaks his heart.

"On Wednesday nights we pick up kids, I think we pick up about 50 and feed them super and have class with them....It's pretty sorry that someone would do that, I guess we will talk about it tomorrow at church and see what we can do Wednesday night," Stanton said.

Unicoi County Sheriff Mike Hensley reported several other vehicles were vandalized in Erwin, Tennessee as well. No details are available yet on what was vandalized in Erwin, but the cars were targeted on Tipton Street.