Washington Monument vandalised with red paint, one person in custody: Police

The Washington Monument was defaced with red paint on Tuesday, triggering a response from the United States Park Police. The complex, less than a mile from the White House, was temporarily sealed after the incident.

The US Park Police said in a social media post that one “adult male” has been taken into custody on account of vandalism. The identity of the individual has not been revealed so far.

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A splash of red paint, appearing to be at least 4 feet high, was seen on the monument. A “profane” message was also written on the structure using the same red paint.

Authorities did not say when the monument would be open for visitation again. The public is usually allowed to enter the complex after 10 AM, according to reports from CNN.

The US Park Police said that the National Park Service conservators are on-site and are managing the restoration.

The last major restoration project at the Washington Monument was carried out in 2011, after a magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck 90 miles southwest of Washington DC. The quake sent pieces of stone and mortar raining down on the observation deck, where visitors were standing. No major injuries were reported.

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Assessments of the building revealed cracks, spalls, and displacements of stones and joints throughout the building. Using centuries-old stone masonry techniques and modern engineering science, the National Park Service assessed the damage and created a repair plan.

The structure took decades to build and was completed in 1888, aligned with the White House in Washington DC. The structure, now located inside the National Mall complex, is named after George Washington, the first President of the United States.