Temple vandalism shocks community, causes $10K in damages

When the priest of the Sanatan Dharma Temple in Kent arrived Feb. 27, glass was shattered everywhere. The word “fear” was spray painted on an outside wall of the temple.

It was the second Hindu temple hit by vandalism in less than two weeks.

“Somebody really took the time to break all the windows, which are huge windows,” said temple board member Jugal Thakor.

Related: Faith communities banding together against hate messages in Bothell

The vandalism is going to cost the temple an estimated $10,000. Temple members are still talking with insurance companies, said Thakor.

“Initially, everybody was very shocked that this happened to our temple,” he said.

The vandalism of the Kent temple follows that of a temple in Bothell. The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office is investigating hate graffiti left on that temple, which included the spray-painted words “get out” and a swastika.

The FBI is pursuing a “parallel” investigation into the Bothell incident, according to FBI Media Coordinator Ayn Dietrich-Williams. If evidence during the investigation proves “substantial,” to build a federal criminal case, the FBI will become more active, she said.

The FBI typically leaves the investigation up to the primary responding agencies, such as the Snohomish or King County sheriff offices. Any involvement by the agency would be supportive, Dietrich-Williams said. Federal prosecution is not always pursued, especially if state prosecution would yield equivalent justice.

There were 40 hate crimes based on religion investigated by the FBI in 2013. That was down from 50 in 2012. The data for 2014 is not yet available.

Though the act on Feb. 27 was difficult on the community, 150 people still showed up for an evening service at the temple.

“We all need to get over the fear, I’m sure the community will help us, because nobody wants to see this happen,” said Thakor.