Church vandalized and arson attempted

MT CARMEL, Ky. (WTVQ) – Laruel County sheriff’s office reported the vandalizing of a local church, with pentagrams, swear words, and other symbols spray painted across the building and sign. Deputies say the damage will cost hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars, and are considering this a hate crime.

Police say there are marks that show the perpetrators attempted to set Mount Carmel Christian Church on fire five times on Sunday, and that deputies will have extra patrols around county churches.

“We don’t want this happening again and we most certainly don’t want anything to go any further and a church to actually get burned complexly to the ground” said a Laurel County Deputy.

Deputies say they think they know who did this, but are still asking the community for information or tips. Most of the graffiti has been cleaned up at this point.