PHOENIX — Hazardous material crews are working to identify bags of an "unknown substance" found in multiple locations that were hanging from hateful political signs that were put up in Phoenix.
The signs also had razor blades attached to them, officials said.
Helicopter footage showed hazardous materials crews on scene at three locations: 44th Street and Chandler Boulevard, 50th Street and Ray Road and a third location at 36th Street and Chandler Boulevard.
Pastor Fred Gerlach, with Family of Christ Lutheran Church and Early Education Center located at 36th and Chandler Boulevard, said the school was already roped off when he got to the school around 6:15 am.
“I had to park and walked to the school and said, ‘Hey, I have a school opening up.’ And they said, ‘No, you're not.’” Gerlach said.
Gerlach said he was informed of a sign attached to a palm tree in front of the school that said ‘Never Harris’.
“When they told me it was on the tree out there, I was kind of relieved,” Gerlach said. “Because it meant and they affirmed this, that it wasn't about us.”
Signage at two other locations where Phoenix PD and hazardous material crews investigated read “Dems Lie” and “Dems Kill Jews.”
Gerlach’s school was able to open up and he said he was most grateful no parents, students or staff were hurt.
“I just pray that the people that are doing this would channel their energies in a more positive way to work on their concerns with the right people and the right parties,” Gerlach said. “And do it in a peaceful way, because we all live together.”
A man was arrested Tuesday afternoon, accused of putting the signs up and previously firing shots at a DNC campaign office in Tempe.
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