Federal Investigators Join Case After Michigan Family’s Home Is Vandalized With Racial Slurs
Federal investigators are now involved in a Michigan family hate crime investigation after a biracial couple’s home was broken into and vandalized with racial slurs just days before they were set to move out.
Russell and Jayme Browning had lived in their Brown City, Michigan, home with their six children for nearly five years. The family was in the process of relocating to Ohio when one of their daughters returned to the house on April 4 and found the home damaged and covered with offensive messages.
According to Flint’s ABC12 News, racial slurs had been painted across the walls and ceilings. Messages included “Don’t Want U,” “Leave!!!” and “Go Away,” followed by a racial slur. The damage also included large holes torn into the drywall, spray painted windows and black paint dumped across the floor.
Brown City Police Call Damage “Deeply Disturbing”
Interim Police Chief Marc Perez addressed the incident in an April 9 press release, calling the vandalism “deeply disturbing and wholly unacceptable.” He confirmed that officers were investigating a breaking and entering that caused “significant damage.”
Perez told ABC12 that investigators are reviewing multiple possible charges. He said a hate crime designation remains possible depending on what investigators uncover.
“There are a multitude of charges here, and depending on the surrounding circumstances, and what it is we find, it’s a very good chance there will be more charges, we just don’t know at this time,” Perez said.
The FBI has since contacted the Browning family and is actively investigating the incident alongside local authorities.
Family Says Incident Does Not Reflect The Community
The Brownings said they had not experienced problems during their time in Brown City, a small town of roughly 1,100 residents located about 35 miles east of Flint.
Jayme Browning shared a message on Facebook on April 12 thanking the community for its support. She wrote that her husband “never experienced anything other than kindness, inclusiveness, and generosity” from residents and said she does not believe the vandalism reflects the town as a whole.
A family member has launched a GoFundMe to help cover the cost of repairs while the investigation continues. The Brownings said they still plan to sell the home once the damage has been addressed.
