Pharmacy in Northern California vandalized
WOODLAND, Calif. (NBC, KYMA) - A vandal smashed windows and painted homophobic graffiti at drug store in Woodland, California.
The store owners and community are shaken, but vowing to find positivity and share love after the hateful attack.
A boarded-up window now covers the damage at Corner Drug Co. on Main Street in Downtown Woodland.
This comes after someone vandalized the business early Sunday morning.
"It's really disappointing to see that happen," said Erik Daniells, co-owner of Corner Drug Co.
But it's what was left behind in writing that was the most upsetting for Daniells: A homophobic slur spray painted on one of the pharmacy's windows. The specific window that was smashed had numerous LGBTQ+ friendly signage.
"It's disgusting that you can't just let people live their lives and be proud about it," said Kylie Koop, a Woodland resident.
Community members, like Koop, are upset about what happened.
"I don't think there's a reason for hate. Like why it's just show a little love instead of hate," Koop expressed.
This isn't the first time the store has been a target. Daniells said a content creator went into the pharmacy, confronted employees about their pride flags and later posted the encounter online.
Police have not said if the incidents are connected, but Daniells and his staff are on edge.
"After this video was posted, of course, the online hate and backlash was pretty, pretty severe," Daniells shared.
Daniells shared a surveillance video with NBC affiliate KCRA, which showed a masked person in a gray sweatshirt running from the store just after 1 a.m., carrying what appears to be a hammer in one hand.
The Woodland Police Department (WPD) is investigating the incident, and Daniells said the support from the community has been overwhelming.
"We had so many people coming in to check on me and I'll make sure everything was okay. Offer help," Daniells remarked.
Now, he's hoping to turn the negative experience to promote positivity.
"We said, 'Okay, because of this, we're going to make some.' We wanted to support our community, make some donations to some excellent nonprofits in Yolo County," Daniells shared. "So we wanted to get out there and just keep spreading positivity."
Police said they're investigating the incident and are actively seeking the person responsible.
If anyone may have witnessed, has information on the person responsible, or has video of the act, they are urged to contact WPD at 530-666-2411.
