Jump directly to the content

POLICE released video of a man throwing red paint over a "BLACK LIVES MATTER" mural painted on the street in New York City.

shared the video as they hunt for the man, who they say is wanted for criminal mischief.

 Police are searching for a man who threw red paint on a 'Black Lives Matter' mural painted outside Trump Tower in New York City
15
Police are searching for a man who threw red paint on a 'Black Lives Matter' mural painted outside Trump Tower in New York CityCredit: NYPD
 NYPD said the man is wanted for criminal mischief
15
NYPD said the man is wanted for criminal mischiefCredit: NYPD

Cops said the man threw paint on the mural at 12:03pm on Monday.

Video showed him grab red paint out of a bag, and throw paint across the word "LIVES."

"If you have any information, call/DM @NYPDTips at 800-577-TIPS. All calls are anonymous," cops said.

Police then shared two additional pictures of the man.

In one picture, he was seen in a black shirt, cap, sunglasses and a face mask as he held the paint can.

A second picture showed him in sunglasses and no mask as he looked down at his phone.

The suspect was described by police as medium build, last seen wearing a black t-shirt-, shorts, sneakers and sunglasses, reported.

Mayor helped .

“This is such an important moment for our city," he said on July 9 as the mural was painted on the street.

 At the start of the video, the man was seen grabbing a can of red paint out of a brown paper bag
15
At the start of the video, the man was seen grabbing a can of red paint out of a brown paper bagCredit: NYPD
 He then threw it across the word 'LIVES,' video shows
15
He then threw it across the word 'LIVES,' video showsCredit: NYPD
 Police said the man was last seen wearing a black shirt, shoes, cap, and sunglasses
15
Police said the man was last seen wearing a black shirt, shoes, cap, and sunglassesCredit: NYPD
 Cops shared a close-up of the man as he threw paint on the mural
15
Cops shared a close-up of the man as he threw paint on the muralCredit: NYPD

“We are making a statement today of what we value in New York City.”

After it was vandalized Monday, de Blasio shot down the person who threw paint on it.

"To whoever vandalized our mural on 5th Avenue: nice try.
@NYC_DOT has already fixed it," de Blasio tweeted.

"The #BlackLivesMatter movement is more than words, and it can’t be undone."

The incident came amid ongoing Black Lives Matter protests following the death of .

Just days after the man threw red paint on the mural, at least two people were arrested for throwing blue paint on it on Friday.

Several people threw the blue paint in what appeared to be a coordinated effort involving a group of around 10 at 4 pm on Friday.

One of the women arrested wore a Keep America Great mask, a Pride flag with the words LGBT for Trump as a cape, and an All Lives Matter shirt.

 NYPD officers are seen investigating after the mural was vandalized on Monday
15
NYPD officers are seen investigating after the mural was vandalized on MondayCredit: Reuters
 The mural was painted along Fifth Avenue on July 9
15
 The mural was painted along Fifth Avenue on July 9Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Blue paint was tossed over the Black Lives Matter mural outside of Trump Tower in Manhattan
15
Blue paint was tossed over the Black Lives Matter mural outside of Trump Tower in ManhattanCredit: Adam Gray/SWNS For The US Sun
Vandals splashed paint over BLM mural in NYC for a second time this week
15
Several people splashed paint over BLM mural in NYC for the second time this weekCredit: Adam Gray/SWNS For The US Sun
The massive BLM mural was trashed this Friday afternoon
15
The massive BLM mural was trashed this Friday afternoonCredit: Adam Gray/SWNS For The US Sun

According to the video of the incident, the woman expressed her anger at Mayor Bill de Blasio and Al Sharpton after destroying the mural.

She yelled out profanities and vowed to "be out here every day."

She was also seen recording herself and shouted All Lives Matter.

Another woman distributed flyers criticizing Black Lives Matter.

Two women were taken into police custody following the incident.

NYPD are not saying if either will face charges.

The  mural is one of five that have been painted in each of  boroughs and was painted by local artists last week.

, : “NYC is cutting Police $’s by ONE BILLION DOLLARS, and yet the @NYCMayor is going to paint a big, expensive, yellow Black Lives Matter sign on Fifth Avenue, denigrating this luxury Avenue.”

At least two people have been arrested after the mural was vandalized
15
At least two people have been arrested after the mural was vandalizedCredit: Adam Gray/SWNS For The US Sun
One of the women who was arrested wore an All Lives Matter shirt and a Pride flag that reads LGBT for Trump
15
One of the women who was arrested wore an All Lives Matter shirt and a Pride flag that reads LGBT for TrumpCredit: Adam Gray/SWNS For The US Sun
The woman who vandalized the mural smiled at the camera
15
The woman who vandalized the mural has blue paint on her handCredit: Adam Gray/SWNS For The US Sun
A woman with a red distributed flyers attacking BLM
15
A woman with a red hat distributed flyers attacking BLMCredit: Adam Gray/SWNS For The US Sun

“This will further antagonize New York’s Finest, who LOVE  & vividly remember the horrible BLM chant, ‘Pigs In A Blanket, Fry ‘Em Like Bacon.’”

“Maybe our GREAT Police, who have been neutralized and scorned by a mayor who hates & disrespects them, won’t let this symbol of hate be affixed to New York’s greatest street,” Trump .

“Spend this money fighting crime instead!"

Two people arrested after they 'toss blue paint over Black Lives Matter mural' outside Trump Tower in NYC
Topics