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Police: Man Stole Shotgun Before Racist, Antigay Graffiti Spree

Palm Springs
Photo by Leah Kelley from Pexels

Chari Godakanda had a concealed knife, and a shotgun and airsoft pistol were found near him, Palm Springs, Calif., police say.

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A 45-year-old man could face over five years in prison after Palm Springs, Calif., police say he stole a shotgun, carried a concealed knife, and covered the city's community center in racist and anti-LGBTQ+ graffiti.

Police arrested Chari Godakanda the morning of July 7 outside a community center, where Godakanda admitted to smashing the front door and spray-painting the building's exterior. Messages included "all lives matter," "not just black, white or yellow or pink U idiots," "I am anti lgbtq uryza," and "I plead alligence to nooneor colors," according to the Desert Sun. He was formally charged Monday, and he is scheduled to appear in Riverside County Court November 4.

Godakanda allegedly had a concealed knife in his pocket; a shotgun and airsoft pistol were found near the community center's broken front door. Palm Springs police say the shotgun was stolen from a nearby business that was also defaced by graffiti. Godakanda also damaged signs and an electric vehicle charging station at the community center, according to officials.

Godakanda, who later apologized for his actions, was hit with two charges of vandalism, one of grand theft, and another of concealing a knife. If convicted, Godakanda could be sentenced to five years and four months in prison.

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Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.
Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.