Police Investigating Vandalism Of Puerto Rican Veterans Memorial In South End

Less than a day before Memorial Day, Boston police said officers were investigating acts of vandalism found at the Puerto Rican Veterans Memorial in the city's South End neighborhood.

According to Officer James Kenneally, a department spokesman, officers responded at 11:30 a.m. Sunday to reports of vandalism at the 1440 Washington Street memorial. Upon arrival, they spoke with the president and a board member for the memorial, who both stated that two pillars at its entrance had been damaged.

They also told officers that the Puerto Rican flag at the site had been lowered below where it should fly.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh tweeted about the incident Sunday, calling it a "horrific act."

The police department said its detectives were actively investigating the incident, along with the city's civil rights unit.