SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. – Four young adults have been charged with hate crime felonies for vandalizing Veradale United Church of Christ.
Rev. Gen Heywood arrived at his church last June and noticed a strong smell of gas and noticed the pride flags that were displayed at the front of the church were missing.
According to the Spokesman Review the Veradale Church is an open and affirming church with a large portion of the congregational being in the LGBTQ+ community.
The gas that was spilt on the property spelled out the words “Lev 2013” possibly referencing the Bible verse Leviticus 20:13 which speaks to gay people.
The four people, Katherine Blycker, 22, Brigid Shannon, 21, John Dawson Rhodes, 21, and Jacob Easton, 22, were all charged with hate crime which is a class C felony.
Rev. Heywood noted that she was grateful the group was charged and blames the Spokane Valley community and schools for not correcting this behavior
