WASHINGTON (AP) — The Lincoln Memorial has been temporarily closed after someone splattered a splash of green paint on the statue.
The apparent vandalism was discovered around 1:30 a.m. Friday on the statue, the pedestal and the floor, U.S. Park Police said. No words, letters or symbols were visible in the paint.
Capt. Steven Booker said the paint spill “appears intentional based off of the splatter.” Police are reviewing security camera footage to try to identify possible suspects, he said.
The memorial will be closed until the National Park Service maintenance crew can clean up the paint, which is expected to happen later Friday, police said.
National Park Service spokeswoman Carol Johnson said the memorial will be returned to the condition it was in before the vandalism.
“It is not permanent damage,” she said. “It can be cleaned.”
The memorial, one of the most popular sites on the National Mall, was dedicated in 1922 to the nation’s 16th president. It’s generally open around the clock to visitors.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
