Man Charged After Racist Graffiti Found In Hartford: Police

HARTFORD, CT — Police said they have a 36-year-old man in custody in connection with last weekend's racist graffiti at the "Black Lives Matter" mural in Hartford, an act the city's mayor called "a vile act of hate."

The Hartford Police Department Wednesday identified the suspect at Scott Franklin, 36, of no certain address, and he has been charged with third-degree intimidation based on bigotry/bias; second-degree criminal mischief; and breach of peace.

The large, Black Lives Matter mural on Trinity Street was defaced last Saturday, June 10, according to city officials, with a swastika and a white supremacist message.

The mural was painted in the summer of 2020 after the horror of George Floyd's murder at the hands of a white policeman in Minneapolis, Minn.

According to WFSB Channel 3, Franklin is accused by police of painting a swastika as well as some numerals that have a white supremecist meaning.

Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin Wednesday credited local law enforcement for their efforts in the arrest.

"This evening, the @HartfordPolice made an arrest for his hate crime," Bronin said in a Tweet. "HPD did tremendous work to identify and apprehend a suspect so quickly. Grateful for their work — and grateful to be part of a community that knows we’re stronger together."

Bronin issued another statement on the situation Thursday afternoon.

"There's no place for that kind of hate in Hartford and the person responsible needs to be held accountable. I'm proud to be part of a community that is united, beautifully diverse and more committed than ever to the idea that we're stronger together."

For the full, WFSB Channel 3 report, click on this link.

From June 13: 'Hartford Mayor: BLM Graffiti A 'Vile Act Of Hate'