FBI seeks public help identifying person who painted swastikas on Wasilla pregnancy center

The FBI on Friday asked for the public’s help in locating a person who spray-painted swastikas on a Wasilla pregnancy center building in October.

The person, who in security footage was dressed in dark clothing with a hood and partial face covering, spray-painted 10 swastikas on the HeartReach Center after midnight on Oct. 20, the FBI’s Anchorage Field Office said. The person also dropped nails in the parking lot, according to the FBI.

The FBI released photos of the person they described as the suspect, who appeared to be dressed in dark clothing with a hood and face covering.

The FBI is investigating the vandalism as a possible violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, spokeswoman Chloe Martin said. The act makes it illegal to interfere or intimidate people from seeking to obtain or provide health services. The HeartReach Center provides pregnancy and sexual health services, according to its website.

The FBI asked anyone with information about the vandalism to contact the Anchorage office at 907-276-4441 or submit a tip online.

A string of vandalism incidents featuring swastikas took place in Anchorage in 2021, including at the Alaska Jewish Museum, the University of Alaska Anchorage campus, Planned Parenthood and an LGBTQ+ bar. A 28-year-old man was arrested and eventually sentenced last year to 18 months in prison for hate-motivated property damage and a separate drug trafficking offense.