A mock lynching of a mannequin wearing a police officer’s uniform and a pig mask has been found hanging over an overpass on I-95 near Jacksonville, FL, over the weekend. (Photo: Jacksonville SO)
A mock lynching of a mannequin wearing a police uniform was found hanging over an interstate highway in Florida over the weekend.
According to ABC News, first responders were called in the early hours on Saturday to investigate a possible suicide attempt on an overpass crossing a busy interstate freeway.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered that there was no suicide, and that the figure hanging by its neck from the bridge was a mannequin dressed as a police officer and wearing a mask bearing the likeness of a pig.
Deputies pulled down the mannequin and found the letters "KKK" scrawled on it as well as several NYPD patches.
Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams said on Facebook, "The incident that occurred this morning depicting the mock lynching of a mannequin dressed in what appeared to be the uniform of a law enforcement officer is extremely disturbing. Both the tactics and props used were a deliberate attempt to exasperate an anti-police sentiment and drive a divide in our community."
Williams continued in his social media post, "This incident was carried out by people wanting to undermine our dedicated efforts to keep our city safe. Too many good citizens are working with us to keep our community safe through active partnerships, and frank conversations about the challenges we all face. This type of act will not be tolerated by our agency or our community, and we will work together to hold those responsible accountable."
An investigation remains underway but no suspects have yet been identified.
