ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – Deputies are investigating vandalized tombstones at a cemetery in Powdersville.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating vandalism at the Siloam Baptist Church.
Pictures provided by the sheriff’s office show tombstones knocked over, and others with the words “Black Lives Matter” written on them.
(Anderson County Sheriff’s Office)
Deputies say the damage was done between late June 2 and June 3.
Family members of those who are buried at the cemetery were at the site on Friday surveying the damage to their family’s headstones.
“Well I was fine at first. When I seen it I was mad, but when you see it, it’s a different matter,” Tommy Merritt said. “There’s a little bit of anger there, a bit of hurt for even the people that done this. You know I was trying to pray a little bit down here for them, too. But when you see it, it really affects you when you see it in person.”
“Yes, I have a lot of frustration. It hurts me to see all these tombstones,” Bill Yown said. “Not just my family, but just look around the ones that are pushed over. This is very expensive. What good did it do? Nothing. It just makes people hate others. I don’t hate anybody. I just feel sorry for them.”
If you have information regarding this vandalism, you’re asked to call deputies at 864-260-4000 or Crime Stopper at 1-888-CRIME-SC (274-6372).
There is a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest in this case.
