NJ Grandmother Finds Racist Messages Painted On Vehicle, Tires Slashed

OLD BRIDGE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Police were searching for vandals Tuesday night after a New Jersey grandmother found a racist message spray-painted across her vehicle.

As CBS 2's Tracee Carrasco reported, Marcella Seachrist walked out of her home Monday morning to see offensive language, including the N-word, painted in bright yellow across the passenger side of her 1996 Jeep Cherokee.

There were other markings painted on her vehicle, and all four of her tires were slashed.

"We're all supposed to live among each other, and try to be as friendly as we can, you know? And it's nothing like that should be written anywhere, you know? And it's really very offensive," Seachrist said.

Seachrist said she believes the racial slur was a personal attack on her and her biracial grandchildren, whom she cares for.

"I have grandchildren that are half black, you know," she said. "It doesn't give you a good feeling."

The grandmother, however, said she doesn't know who might be responsible. The apartment complex did not have surveillance cameras in the area where the vandalism happened.

"I don't know why they pointed the finger me; why they did the damage, but you know, if they're found -- hopefully they will be -- they get what they deserve," she said.

On Tuesday, Seachrist removed most of the yellow pain and hurtful words from her car. But along with the remnants of paint and flat tires, Seachrist said the pain of the crime is still there, too.

"It takes a toll on you after a while, it really does," she said.

While Seachrist scrambles to repair her only means of transportation, the Old Bridge Police Department said they are actively looking for the vandals responsible.

The apartment complex where the vandals struck did not have surveillance cameras.

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