Confederate statue vandalized on Downtown Square

Rutherford County Sheriff’s investigators are searching for the identity of the person who vandalized the “Johnny Rebel” Confederate monument Tuesday night located near the historic courthouse.

The vandal spray painted in pink paint the words “murderer,” “Ft. Pillow” and “Coward” on the statue, in an apparent reference to the Battle of Fort Pillow commanded by Lt. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest in April 1864 near Memphis.

Workers removed the paint Wednesday morning.

Investigators are reviewing video surveillance tape taken from the areas around the square, said Capt. Britt Reed of the Criminal Investigations Division.

Videotape shows someone wearing a coat and scarf walking around the downtown square for about 10 minutes and approaching the statue at 10:21 p.m. He walks away at 10:22 p.m.

The person drove away in a dark-colored, compact to mid-sized car.

Murfreesboro Police received the call about the vandalism within a minute.

People who have information on the identity of the vandal or about the crime are asked to call Detective Tony Grissom at 615-904-3055.