Haughville Church Vandalized
Haughville Church Vandalized, Vigil Held as Teens Arrested
Source: Ryan Hedrick / WIBC Radio
INDIANAPOLIS — Church and city leaders in Haughville are fed up with graffiti, especially after Friendship Missionary Baptist Church was vandalized this week. Two teenagers—a 16-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy—have been charged in Marion County.
On Friday, the church held a vigil, saying support has poured in from across the country. After posting photos online, people stepped up with donations and encouragement.
“This is a true show of love and support for our community,” said peace activist and longtime Haughvillian Aaron Williams. “We’re here to support this great community and Pastor Covington. Satan tried to rear his ugly head on Tuesday, but the power and love of God showed up.”
Police don’t believe the church vandalism is connected to gang graffiti seen around Haughville. Pastor Ronald Covington told WIBC that the teenagers arrested have no ties to the church.
Listen to the press conference with church leaders and police as they discuss the vandalism and recent arrests.
“They just walked on our property and did what they did,” Covington said. “We want to get to know them.”
IMPD Southwest District Commander Nikole Pilkington said churches like Friendship Missionary Baptist are, or should be, the backbone of Indianapolis.
“Churches bring people together,” she said. “They support the neighborhood, pass out food, do whatever they can to help. Somebody had the audacity to paint over that. It’s just a building, but it goes deeper than that.”
The church announced it will team up with IMPD recruits for a future neighborhood cleanup.
“The first weekend in May is the Mini-Marathon,” Williams added. “Thirty thousand people will run through our community. We take pride in it. We love it. This is one of Indianapolis’ best and brightest neighborhoods.”
