The strange Islamic-themed graffiti that plagued Windsor neighbourhoods earlier this year appeared again on Wednesday — this time on the buildings of local media outlets and through the city’s core.
The cryptic messages were spray-painted during the early morning hours on the properties of the Windsor Star, CTV Windsor, and CBC Windsor, as well as multiple bus shelters on Ouellette Avenue.
“#Islam execute drug dealers,” reads one message on the doors of the Windsor Star at 300 Ouellette Avenue. “#Sharia Now.”
The graffiti also references a verse in the Bible — Revelations 22:14-15.
Graffiti that was spray-painted on the doors of the Windsor Star building on Ouellette Avenue on the morning of Dec. 13, 2017. The message reads: “#Islam execute drug dealers Rev 22. 14, 15.”
Done in red block letters with hashtag symbols, the messages are similar in style and content to graffiti that appeared in South Windsor in October and along the riverfront in November.
The purpose of the graffiti remains unknown. The Windsor Islamic Council previously described the messages as “hate-mongering,” and urged the community not to allow them to sow division and bigotry.
“It is disturbing to see,” Zafar Iqbal, acting chairman of the Windsor Islamic Council, said Wednesday.
“To be frank with you, I’m surprised this happens at all. I’ve been living in Windsor since 1995, and these things are only now starting to pop up. I have no idea what the motives are.”
Security cameras at the Windsor Star building recorded the person responsible for the latest graffiti: A lone Caucasian male with scruffy facial hair who appears to be in his 30s or 40s.
Dressed in a dark, hooded jacket, the man can be seen on video applying the spray paint quickly and smoothly — with a practiced hand.
Security camera images of the lone male responsible for the Islamic-themed graffiti on the Windsor Star building at 300 Ouellette Ave. on the morning of Dec. 13, 2017.
“What we’re looking at is he has targeted media outlets,” Windsor police spokesman Const. Andrew Drouillard said Wednesday morning.
The CTV Windsor building is located at 1149 Goyeau St. The CBC Windsor building is at 825 Riverside Dr. West.
Drouillard said the graffiti was also found on bus shelters along Ouellette Avenue from Wyandotte Street south to Tecumseh Road.
At press time Wednesday, Windsor police were continuing to investigate these incidents as crimes of mischief. Anyone with information related to this vandalism is encouraged to call 519-255-6700 ext. 4000.
Anonymous tips can be made via Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 or www.catchcrooks.com.
Iqbal said the Windsor Islamic Council is committed to working with local law enforcement and educating the community. “I strongly encourage (the public) to report this behaviour.”
Graffiti that was spray-painted on the doors of the Windsor Star and News Cafe building on Ouellette Avenue during the early morning hours of Dec. 13, 2017. The message reads: “#Sharia Now.”
Reader-submitted photos showing the Islamic-themed graffiti on a bus shelter at Ouellette Avenue and Wyandotte Street on Dec. 13, 2017.
Graffiti painted onto a bus stop on Erie St. East at Ouellette Avenue is shown Dec. 13, 2017.
