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Fort Lauderdale, FL - Authorities in South Florida are searching for a man who engaged in acts of vandalism directed at an LGBTQ+ church in Fort Lauderdale.
The incidents occurred during a Sunday morning service at the Sunshine Cathedral, with the perpetrator initially burning a piece of cardboard outside the church and later returning to pelt it with eggs.
Fort Lauderdale police and Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue responded to a 911 call reporting the vandalism, but were unable to apprehend the individual responsible for the incident.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the Sunshine Cathedral stated that the man had burned debris in what seemed to be a ritual, ostensibly to express opposition to the LGBTQ+ affirming ministry of the church.
Fortunately, there were no reported injuries resulting from the vandalism, and no permanent damage was inflicted upon the property.
Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins, Senior Minister of Sunshine Cathedral, responded to the incident in a Facebook post, expressing empathy for the alleged vandalizer, stating "We have no idea what sort of pain he is in or what has motivated him to act in such unpleasant ways. We can only assume he is experiencing some sort of mental dysfunction and we hope he gets the care he needs."
Due to the fire, investigators are presently unable to determine if anything was inscribed or written on the burnt cardboard.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department's Threat Response Unit is investigating the incidents and are urging anyone with information to contact them at 954-828-5700.