Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

North Carolina Republican party building firebombed

HILLSBOROUGH (North Carolina) — A firebomb tore through the Republican Party headquarters in North Carolina’s Orange County on Saturday (Oct 13) night, and graffiti warning its members to flee town was painted on the walls of a neighbouring building, the party and police officials said on Sunday.

A burnt couch is shown next to campaign signs at the Orange County Republican Headquarters in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Photo: AP

A burnt couch is shown next to campaign signs at the Orange County Republican Headquarters in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Photo: AP

Follow TODAY on WhatsApp

HILLSBOROUGH (North Carolina) — A firebomb tore through the Republican Party headquarters in North Carolina’s Orange County on Saturday (Oct 13) night, and graffiti warning its members to flee town was painted on the walls of a neighbouring building, the party and police officials said on Sunday.

The party posted images on Twitter of the damaged building in Hillsborough, North Carolina, on Sunday afternoon that showed blackened walls, charred couches and burned campaign signs for Mr Donald Trump and several local candidates. A window was broken, and a swastika was spray-painted nearby alongside the words “Nazi Republicans leave town or else.”

The bombing occurred at a tense moment in American politics, just three weeks from Election Day and near the end of a divisive presidential campaign that has seen deepening hostility and suspicions between supporters of Mrs Hillary Clinton and those of Mr Trump, who has repeatedly said that he believes the vote will be “rigged” against him.

On Sunday, the Hillsborough police said the fire had been caused by a firebomb thrown through a window of the office, which is in a shopping centre about 14 miles (22.5km) outside Durham.

The damage was not noticed until Sunday, when a business owner called the authorities around 9am, the police said. Governor Pat McCrory said in a statement that no one had been injured.

“This highly disturbing act goes far beyond vandalising property; it willfully threatens our community’s safety via fire, and its hateful message undermines decency, respect and integrity in civic participation,” Mayor Tom Stevens of Hillsborough said in a statement. “Our law enforcement officials are responding quickly and thoroughly to investigate this reprehensible act and prosecute the perpetrators.”

The Hillsborough police said they were investigating the attack along with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

In a statement to The Charlotte Observer, Mr Dallas Woodhouse, executive director of the state Republican Party, called the bombing “political terrorism.”

“The office itself is a total loss,” he said. “The only thing important to us is that nobody was killed, and they very well could have been.”

“Whether you are Republican, Democrat or independent, all Americans should be outraged by this hate-filled and violent attack against our democracy,” he added. “Everyone in this country should be free to express their political viewpoints without fear for their own safety.”

Mrs Clinton, who is the Democratic nominee for president said on Twitter that the attack “is horrific and unacceptable. Very grateful that everyone is safe.” Meanwhile, Mr Trump blamed the act on Democrats in a Tweet and also he encouraged local Republicans, saying: “With you all the way, will never forget. Now we have to win. Proud of you all!” AGENCIES

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.