Graffiti probed as hate crime

The words "I hunt Mormons" and "Car bomb" were found scribbled in chalk on a residential driveway Tuesday, prompting the lockdown of nearby Goldfarb Elementary School as police investigated.

The graffiti was found in the 1600 block of English Rose Drive, near East Charleston and South Hollywood boulevards, about 7:40 a.m., said Las Vegas police spokesman Ramon Denby.

"The homeowner exited the home and found graffiti on his driveway and front door porch," Denby said. "Because of the nature of the graffiti being religiously biased, officers called out our gang unit, which investigates hate crimes."

Denby said the city's response team, which includes the Fire Department and the bomb squad, also was called to investigate.

Nothing suspicious was found at the scene or the surrounding area, Denby said, and there were no suspects as of Tuesday afternoon.

A resident of English Rose Drive who wished to remain anonymous said she was surprised to see police cars on her street.

"It's a fairly quiet neighborhood," she said. "We get graffiti on signs or trees sometimes, but nothing on people's driveways, and nothing hateful."

She said she didn't know whether the homeowner in question was Mormon. Although their houses are within 100 feet of each other, she's never been formally introduced, she said. "Everybody around here kind of keeps to themselves and minds their own business," she said.

The homeowner wasn't available for comment.

Ashley Hall, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints director of public affairs for Las Vegas, said the circumstances of the graffiti sounded like a prank.

"I think Mormon people in Nevada have been treated very fairly over the years," Hall said. "People here know enough about us that they're willing to work with us positively, even if they don't agree with us."

Contact reporter Mike Blasky at mblasky@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283.