Three Washington teens are facing TEN YEARS in jail after making skid marks on LGBT rainbow road mural while riding e-scooters
Three washington teens face 10 years in prison after being arrested for creating skid marks on a LGBT rainbow street mural while driving e-scooters.
Nineteen-year-old Ruslan VV Turko and two unnamed minors were arrested Wednesday for first-degree malicious mischief after vandalizing the Rainbow Pride mural in front of Riverfront Park in Spokane. Washington.
Turko appeared in court on Thursday together with a legal advisor. Prosecutors requested a $15,000 bond that would cover the estimated cost of repainting the mural. The teen was later released on his own recognizance, on the condition that he not return to the crosswalk, or to the other suspects.
The teens were caught after a group of witnesses sitting at a nearby bar saw them acting disgracefully, revving their Lime electronic scooters and deliberately sliding their tires on the mural to create skid marks, court documents show. KREM news reported.
The teens, 19-year-old Ruslan VV Turko (pictured here in court, front right in yellow) and two minors were arrested for first-degree malicious mischief
The LGBTQ mural for Riverfront Park features black skid marks
Court records show the witnesses confronted the teens, with some taking pictures with their phones. One of the minors hit back, saying, “F*** you, F*****,” and “Go to hell,” the news station reported.
The city said they had just finished repainting the mural when the boys allegedly vandalized it.
Lime, the company that makes the e-scooters, was shocked by the incident and released a statement on Friday sharing their support for the LGBTQ community.
“All of us at Lime condemn these vile acts in no uncertain terms. At a time when our teams at Lime are starting pride celebrations around the world, it’s disturbing to see the hate happening in Spokane.
“Lime is taking immediate action against the perpetrators and is doubling down on our support of Spokane Pride and Spokane Arts.
“Lime is proud to dedicate time and resources each year to celebrating Pride Month and supporting LGBTQ+ organizations working to uplift and protect queer people in cities around the world.
“We will not let the hateful few spoil the joy of Pride Month in Spokane, and are grateful for those who are committed to making Spokane more welcoming to all.”
The company also said it is establishing a no-ride zone around the mural to protect it from future vandalism attempts.
The mural was repainted to repair previous damage sustained after someone set fire to the crosswalk mural in May
In May, the mural was set on fire and a fundraiser was held to raise money for its reconstruction.
Spokane police reported that there was a group that dumped liquid on the mural before setting it on fire, which the news station said was caught.
In March, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed legislation to redefine the state’s hate crimes statute to include damaging property, which is now considered a misdemeanor punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The update followed the original bill drafted in October 2023 in response to the vandalism of LGBTQ+ monuments in Spokane.
The new law came into effect on Thursday, June 6, a day after the incident.
