Man arrested after being caught vandalizing Washington Monument

A man was arrested by authorities after vandalizing the Washington Monument with expletives. Police confirmed that the man used red paint to wrote the following words “Have you been f—– by this. Gov says tough s—.”

According to police, the man, identified as 44-year-old Shaun Ray Deaton, was “covered in red paint which was the same color that was used on the side of the Washington Monument,” when an officer arrested him as he was “in the process of applying paint to the side of Washington Monument.”

The US Park Police tweeted that the area around the base of the Washington Monument had been closed temporarily and that an adult male was in custody for vandalism of the monument. 

“Alert: Area around base of the Washington Monument temporarily closed. USPP have adult male in custody for vandalism. NPS conservators will work on restoration process.”

National Park Service conservators are currently undergoing a full cleaning process, however NPS officials told NBC Washington that the process could take as long as three weeks.

Deaton was arrested at 7:30 p.m. on charges of trespassing, tampering and vandalism, the National Park Service said in a statement.

“This is an initial criminal charge and, as the investigation continues, there may be additional charges,” the National Park Service noted, adding that “conservators have begun the work to remove the paint.”

Authorities have not yet confirmed the motive for the vandalism. They have said that the monument will remain closed at this stage while the investigation is ongoing, and the cleanup is in progress.

The 555 feet Washington Monument was completed in 1888 and was built to commemorate the 1st President of The United States, George Washington.