A veteran , Marcus Stapleton, fears for the safety of his family after his car was vandalized with an antisemitic threat right in his backyard in Shady Springs, Virginia.
Stapleton, an army veteran who has fought in wars, but never expected the war to be right in his own backyard.
Late Monday night, Stapleton heard a commotion in his backyard. He heard laughter but by the time he made it outside, the vandals were already down the road.
What was left in the aftermath was an antisemitic threat alongside his vehicle - “DIE JEW”. The black spray paint can be covered, but the threat and fear remains. NGO StopAntisemitism shared the horrific imagery online to their audience .
West Virginia - "Die Jew" was painted on Marcus Stapleton's car.
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) August 7, 2023
The ironic thing? Stapleton, a U.S. army veteran, isn't even Jewish yet is known in his community for being a big ally to the Jewish people and nation.
We anticipate @RaleighSheriff will find those responsible… pic.twitter.com/gX6n6TlcgO
The Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office was notified and an investigation is underway.
The authorities believe it may be kids playing a prank. However with the synagogue in Beckley only a short drive away, the threat becomes more than just a harmless prank. “This is just too far. Me and my family, we aren’t even Jews. But we stand up for the Jewish community,” said Stapleton.
Stapleton added that his family has visited Israel thirty-three times, always bringing supplies and clothing for the less fortunate.
The veteran tells us that with all the good that he and his family have done, God has a plan and something positive may come from this vandalism.