Police Investigate After Trayvon Martin Mural Defaced in NJ

Paint now covers part of the artwork

Police in New Jersey are investigating after a mural of slain Florida teen Trayvon Martin was defaced with paint.

The mural was created several weeks ago on the side of Messina Deli in Elmwood, with the words "Trayvon, we got you," over a man in a hoodie, a symbol that became part of Martin's story, which captured attention nationwide.

Martin, 17, was wearing a hoodie when he was gunned down by a neighborhood watch volunteer who called 911 and reported him as being "suspicious" as he walked through a gated community on his way home from getting a snack.

On the mural, off-white paint now covers the man in the hoodie.

"If you have something against it, it's no problem, you want to petition against it, that's understandable," said neighbor Ibraham Malki, "but there's no reason to paint over it."

Some residents don't like the mural.

"It doesn't belong on a building in Elmwood Park, because it's the kind of thing you see in slum areas where they try to beautify decrepit buildings by doing something like this," said a neighbor.

Police say they are looking for the person responsible for ruining the mural.

"We're going to canvas the neighborhood, speak to the neighbors, see if anybody saw anything, anybody coming out of the area," said Lt. Michael Foligno of Elmwood Park Police.

Get the latest from NBC 4 New York anytime, anywhere. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Get our apps here and sign up for email newsletters here. Get breaking news delivered right to your phone -- just text NYBREAKING to 639710. For more info, text HELP. To end, text STOP. Message and data rates may apply.

Contact Us