The GOP headquarters in Orange County, N.C., was firebombed during the night and a nearby building vandalized with graffiti that read “Nazi Republicans leave town or else,” according to local police.
Hillsborough police have been investigating the scene as of early Sunday. A state GOP officialreferred to the firebombing as “political terrorism,” The Charlotte Observer reports.
The office, located on 347 Ja-Max Dr., was hit with a bottle of flammable liquid through the window of the office.
Police found the words “Nazi Republicans leave town or else” spray painted in black on a building beside the GOP headquarters. The graffiti was also at 353 Ja-Max Dr., and included a swastika. A business owner discovered the graffiti shortly before 9 a.m.
“The office itself is a total loss,” said Dallas Woodhouse, executive director of state GOP, according to The Charlotte Observer. “The only thing important to us is that nobody was killed, and they very well could have been.”
“Whether you are Republican, Democrat, or Independent, all Americans should be outraged by this hate-filled and violent attack against our democracy,” Woodhouse added.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is also on the scene.
“This highly disturbing act goes far beyond vandalizing property; it willfully threatens our community’s safety via fire, and its hateful message undermines decency, respect and integrity in civic participation,” said Hillsborough Mayor Tom Stevens in a statement.
“I believe I speak for the overwhelming majority of people who make Hillsborough their home: Acts like this have no place in our community,” Stevens said. “Our law enforcement officials are responding quickly and thoroughly to investigate this reprehensible act and prosecute the perpetrators.”
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