Subject: Hmongs targeted by vandalism in Menomonie Date: Thu, 2 Dec 2004 19:22:59 -0600 Message-ID: <B14120EE5C432443B21102F7925DAD020142014A@COKE.uwec.edu> From: "Grossman, Zoltan C." <GROSSMZC@uwec.edu>
Photo by Joel Becker/Dunn County News
http://www.dunnconnect.com/articles/2004/12/02/news/news02.txt
The word "killers" was hand painted and clearly visible on the end of a
residence at Evergreen Court to passersby along North Broadway in
Menomonie Friday. The home, along with another home and a pick-up truck,
all had the word painted on them. All property in the vandalism incident
belong to Hmongs. It is suspected that the vandalism is in direct
relation to a killing spree in Sawyer County where Chai Soua Vang, who
is Hmong, is accused of murdering six hunters.
Hmongs targeted in vandalism...
Neighbor cited in incident
Dunn County News
Thursday, December 2, 2004
By Barbara Lyon, News Editor
Perched among the trees on a bluff overlooking the Wilson Creek slough,
the mobile homes of Evergreen Court can be seen by motorists traveling
up and down North Broadway.
Late last week, the sight of the word "killers" -- hand painted in
large, white letters across the end of one home -- could be clearly seen
by passersby. What they didn't see was the same word inscribed on
another residence and on one man's pick-up truck -- all the property of
Hmong families.
According to a Menomonie Police Department report, the damage was
perpetrated in apparent response to the recent alleged murder of six
hunters in Sawyer County by Chai Soua Vang of St. Paul.
Although he denied doing the painting, a neighbor, David L. Miller, 38,
was arrested at 8 p.m. on Nov. 25 and cited with three counts of
criminal damage to property after being positively identified by several
witnesses.
One witness observed a lone, white male driving near all three
residences in a red Honda SUV. Others, including Miller's next door
neighbor, observed him carrying a can of paint as well as wielding a
large paintbrush.
One young Hmong woman, interpreting for her father, reported that he
said he saw Miller, paint can in hand, run to his home. The suspect
allegedly looked at her father before disappearing inside.
The father was puzzled by Miller's action, according to the daughter,
who said her father raised his children to be friendly with residents
and not do things like this.
Miller is scheduled to appear in Dunn County Circuit Court at 10:45 a.m.
on Dec. 21.