Vehicle Spray-Painted With Homophobic Slur, Set On Fire

CHARLOTTE, NC — Charlotte police have launched an arson investigation after a vehicle spray-painted with a homophobic slur was set on fire early Wednesday morning near the campus of Johnson & Wales University campus.

Firefighters responded to the fire in the 1000 block of West Trade Street around 3 a.m. during the morning of March 3.

"An initial survey of the unoccupied vehicle raised the concerns of officers on scene due to a homophobic slur that was spray-painted on the vehicle," Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said in a statement.

Arson investigators responded to the scene to collect evidence, and the police department is consulting with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, it said.

CMPD said that anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 9-1-1, or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.