Three Washington teenagers are facing up to ten years in prison for leaving scooter skid marks on an LGBTQ rainbow mural painted in the middle of the road in Spokane.
Ruslan V. Turko, 19, and two unnamed minors were arrested and charged with first-degree malicious mischief on Wednesday for leaving marks in the street.
On Wednesday, people who witnessed the teens riding their scooters on the mural called 9-1-1 to report it.
Kaylee Gaines McGee, a witness sitting at O'Doherty's Irish Grille, allegedly saw the malicious scooter-riding. She told local station KREM that she believed the teens were intentionally trying to deface the street mural.
"We see that you have done this thing, and " McGee told the station. "People don't just go and do that without intention. You don't destroy symbols without intention behind it."
The teens appeared in court on Thursday.
"Prosecutors requested a $15,000 bond that would cover the approximate cost of re-painting the mural. The teen was later released on his own recognizance on the condition that he does not return to the crosswalk, or the other suspects," the Daily Mail reports.
Under legislation signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee, defacement of public property may fall under the state's hate crime laws. "The updated law went into effect Thursday, June 6, meaning it is a felony to deface a public symbol of Pride in Washington state," KREM noted.
Lime, the company that makes the rentable e-scooters, issued a statement saying it is instituting a no-ride zone around the mural.
"All of us at Lime condemn these vile acts in no uncertain terms," the company said. "At a time when our teams at Lime are beginning pride celebrations around the globe, it is disturbing to see the hate taking place in Spokane. Lime is taking immediate action against the perpetrators and doubling down on our support of Spokane Pride and Spokane Arts. Lime is proud to put time and resources into celebrating Pride Month each year 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 working to make Spokane more welcoming for all."
The mural was recently repaired after people dumped a flammable liquid on it and lit it on fire in May.
