'This Is Our Warning': Indian Grocery In Charlotte Targeted In Hate Crime

CHARLOTTE, NC -- An Indian grocery store was the target of arson in a hate crime along a busy road in Charlotte late Thursday, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police, who say they have video of the suspect.

Officers responded to a call of a fire at the Central Market, at 5718 Albemarle Rd., at 9:59 p.m. April 7. There, they found the fire at the business’ front door had burnt itself out, and that a rock had been thrown through a window.

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The crime was filmed on surveillance video, showing the suspect is a black male wearing a grey hoodie under a black coat, light jeans and black shoes, police say.

“A note was also left at the scene near the door that stated the suspect did not want any refugee business owners and that they would torture the owner if they did not leave and go back to where they came from,” a statement from CMPD said. It was signed “White America,” police say.

A photo of the note was tweeted by WSOCTV, showing it claimed President Donald Trump “is our nation builder for white America.”

WBTV Charlotte also tweeted a photo of damage to the front of the store:

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