Racially Motivated Graffiti Defaces Gambrills Church Again, Hate Crimes Charges Filed

GAMBRILLS, MD — A man has been charged with three hate crimes in the racially motivated vandalism of a Gambrills church, Anne Arundel County Police said late Friday. It was the second time in less than a month that the Kingdom Celebration Center was defaced.

Donald Eugene Hood Jr., 66, of no fixed address, was arrested about 8 p.m. in the area of Annapolis Road and Burns Crossing Road in Gambrills following a call from the public.

Hood was taken to the Anne Arundel County Central Holding & Processing facility, where he was served on the open arrest warrant. Police said Hood was charged with malicious destruction of property and three counts related to destruction, harassment and targeting a group/organization based on their RRSOD (race/religion/sexual orientation/disability) status for the vandalism reported on Aug. 3.

He was seen by the Anne Arundel County District Court Commissioner and released on his own recognizance after the hearing.

Authorities heard about the vandalism at the Kingdom Celebration Center on Wednesday around 9:15 p.m. Police then went to the church, located at 952 Annapolis Road. The victim showed officers the offensive message inscribed on the door of the church, a press release said.

Detectives said they used surveillance footage to get a description of the suspect and eventually identify the accused man.

"I am appalled by these acts of hate targeting Black churches in our communities," County Executive Steuart Pittman said Friday in a press release.

Authorities on July 11 announced the first racially motivated vandalism at the church.

After the last hateful crime, Pittman gathered at the church with these groups to condemn racism and to support Apostle Antonio Palmer and First Lady Barbara Palmer:

• Anne Arundel County NAACP
• United Black Clergy of Anne Arundel County
• Caucus of African American Leaders
• Connecting the Dots
• The CAST of Anne Arundel County

"The irreverent graffiti left on the doors of a Black church in 2022 is unacceptable," Antonio Palmer said at that previous press conference. "It is an indicator that our country has done a poor job protecting the Black community and houses of worship."

Related: Gambrills Church Vandalized With Racially Motivated Graffiti, Reports Say

A similar crime happened in neighboring Odenton last month. A Black Lives Matter sign outside the Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church was vandalized once again, police announced on July 7.

Officers said the banner, located at 8424 Piney Orchard Parkway, has been vandalized five times in the last two years. Three of those crimes happened in the past few months.

"I urge you to join me in denouncing racist hate wherever and whenever it occurs," Pittman said. "To those who continue to harass our neighbors and commit these disgusting hate crimes, know that your bigotry will not stop the work of these excellent Black leaders, and know that when you are arrested you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Officers asked anybody with information to call (410) 222-8610. Tipsters can stay anonymous by dialing (410) 222-4700.