Md. Church Vandalized After Charleston Shooting

Members of a predominantly African-American church in Clinton, Maryland found vandalism referencing Satan just hours after the horrific shooting in Charleston.

Upside-down crosses and the word "Satan" were drawn in red spray paint on a side wall of Tree of Life Christian Ministries on Piscataway Road. A groundskeeper spotted the vandalism Thursday afternoon.

Pastor James Robinson showed News4 the damage and said he was concerned about safety and was planning an active-shooter drill. 

Robinson said he will continue to preach about forgiveness and refuses to let fear hold back his congregation of more than 1,000 people.

"Dark will never overthrow light. Evil will never overthrow love," he said.

Prince George’s County Police said the incident is not being considered a hate crime because there was no evidence a particular person or the institution was targeted related to their race. 

Investigators are asking anyone with information about the vandalism to contact police.

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