Vandal sets fire to memorial for residential school victims in Brantford

Police are hoping the public can help identify the person who vandalized a memorial for residential school victims in Brantford.

Officers were called on Saturday after the memorial outside the Woodland Cultural Centre on Mohawk St. was damaged.

Investigators learned someone arrived at the centre around 10:30 p.m. Friday and spent four hours destroying the items left to honour the child victims of the residential school system.

Police say the vandal set fire to the memorial and damaged a number of items.

A surveillance photo of the suspect has been released and police are hoping someone can help identify the individual.

The Brantford Police Service is working alongside the Six Nations Police Service to investigate the incident.

“Both agencies condemn the criminal acts of the suspect, who is believed to have acted alone, and remain committed to holding them accountable for their actions,” said Brantford police in a news release.

Anyone with information that could help police is asked to contact Det. Justin Torek at 519-756-0113, ext. 2812 or Acting Det. Sgt. Justin Isaacs of the Six Nations Police Service at 519-445-2811.