Michigan Man Who Spray-Painted ‘Die’ And Swastikas On A Black Church Pleads Guilty

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A Michigan man has pleaded guilty to spray-painting numerous swastikas and other graffiti on a prominently Black church near Roseville, according to CBS News Detroit.

David Bluer, 34, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of damaging religious property after being accused of spray-painting the word “die” and swastikas on the outside of Greater New Life Church in October 2021.

According to court documents, Bluer said he defaced the church because it was majority Black and had a Black pastor.

David Bluer wasn’t just accused of defacing Greater New Life Church. He’s also been accused of spray painting swastikas and racial slurs in a park bath in the same town, according to CBS News Detroit.

Bluer also said the reason he spray-painted the public bathroom was “because of the race and color of Black people who used the park, and because Black people were and had been enjoying the park,” according to a DOJ  news release.

Federal prosecutors called the act a hate crime and said they have no place in the community.

“Racially motivated crimes have no place in our society,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said in the release. “Hate crimes are message crimes intended to sow fear and terror in communities. Through this prosecution, the Justice Department sends its own message — that we will protect communities from such hate-fueled violence and use every tool at our disposal to investigate and prosecute those who perpetrate these heinous attacks.”

Michigan FBI also commented, “David Bluer’s guilty plea to a hate crime for defacing a predominantly Black church underscores the FBI’s steadfast commitment to addressing civil rights violations and holding individuals accountable for acts of hate. This targeted criminal act, coupled with Mr. Bluer’s admission of harboring hatred based on race and ethnicity, highlights the FBI’s dedication to safeguarding faith-based communities in Michigan.”

Greater New Life Church pastor Darnell Moore says even though he will never forget what happened to the church, he is ready to forgive.

“It would be hypocritical for me to not forgive him when I’ve been forgiven, so that’s why I think it’s so important that we forgive him; you know, we hold no grudges or anything,” said Moore told CBS.

Moore also said his congregation is ready to move on from the traumatic experience.

“We’re going to go on and keep serving God and keep trying to be a blessing to the community,” he told CBS.

David Bluer is scheduled to be sentenced March 19, 2025, according to the Kansas City Star.

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