‘Highly unusual’ anti-Kamala Harris sign was rigged like an explosive, Virginia cops say
A device secured near a large political campaign sign in Virginia had some community members believing it was an explosive, authorities said.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office told McClatchy News deputies and representatives from the fire marshal’s office responded to a call about the suspicious sign early Saturday, Oct. 19, in Leesburg, about a 40-mile drive northwest from Washington, D.C.
The 20-foot-long anti-Kamala Harris banner displays an image of the vice president holding a sign that reads “I helped create this mess!” On the sides of Harris’ face, bold white text reads “Day one for me was Jan, 2021.”
According to the sheriff’s office, the device was attached to the sign with wires and included a shell that would make noise if the sign was tampered with.
After further inspection, authorities determined the device was not an explosive, rather, it was intended to create a loud sound, the sheriff’s office said.
The property owner told authorities signs on the property had recently been vandalized, Fox 5 reported.
“Certainly a highly unusual way of protecting a sign,” a spokesperson for the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office told McClatchy News. “We did not find anything that was actually illegal.”
According to officials, the banner was anchored on private property but visible to anyone walking through the area.
Deputies said they suggested the property owner put up no trespassing signs.
This story was originally published October 23, 2024 at 12:03 PM with the headline "‘Highly unusual’ anti-Kamala Harris sign was rigged like an explosive, Virginia cops say."
