17 Gravesites Vandalized in Tampa Area

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said on May 12 that 17 gravesites were vandalized at Old Memphis Cemetery in Palmetto, a historic burial ground about 31 miles south of Tampa. Deputies said the damage included broken and toppled headstones, spray-painted gravesites, smashed vault lids and damaged concrete. Investigators said there was no indication any remains were removed. No arrests had been announced as of May 16, and the investigation remained open. ### Where did the vandalism happen, and what was damaged? Old Memphis Cemetery sits on 25th Street West in Palmetto and was established in 1904 for Black residents of the city’s Memphis neighborhood, according to local reporting and Reuters. The cemetery has long served families with ties to Manatee County’s Black community. (wtsp.com) Seventeen gravesites were found damaged, the sheriff’s office said. Deputies described broken concrete, knocked-down headstones, smashed burial-vault lids and graffiti across the property. Reuters and local television footage also showed the names “Trump” and “DeSantis” spray-painted in red on some tombs. ### When do investigators think the damage was done? (wfla.com) Detectives believe at least some of the vandalism happened on or before March 2026, according to the sheriff’s office and local stations. Reuters, citing authorities, reported detectives believed the incident occurred within the past few weeks. The sheriff’s office has not publicly identified suspects. (baynews9.com) No arrests have been made, authorities said. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office asked anyone with information to call 941-747-3011, while Manatee County Crime Stoppers said tips that lead to an arrest could qualify for a reward. Crime Stoppers is offering up to $3,000, and the Gold Star Club of Manatee County is offering an additional $1,000. (wtsp.com) ### What have families and local officials said? Glenn Searls, 77, told Reuters he felt “extreme anger” after seeing the damage at a cemetery where members of his family are buried. Edrena Love Freeman told Reuters that her father’s gravestone had been moved and called the vandalism “evil.” Shavonda Griffin told WFLA that she has family buried at the cemetery, while Tracey Washington said the site represents generations of Black history in Manatee County. (wtsp.com) Amanda Ballard, a Manatee County commissioner, called the vandalism “absolutely horrifying” and said the damage brought tears to residents’ eyes. (usnews.com) ### Is the community already responding on the ground? Volunteers were at the cemetery on May 13 helping clean damaged graves and remove graffiti, WFLA reported. Ronald Messer of Grizzly Army Ministries said the destruction was heartbreaking because of the cemetery work he does in similar sites. Spectrum News reported that Ballard said a local concrete company owner, Chris Mullinax, had agreed to replace every destroyed vault lid for free. (wfla.com) Ballard also said county leaders were discussing a community cleanup day so residents could help restore the cemetery. ### What happens next in the case and at the cemetery? Tuesday’s Manatee County Commission meeting is the next public milestone. (wfla.com) Ballard told Spectrum News and WFLA that she plans to ask the board to allocate $100,000 from discretionary funds for fencing and security cameras at the cemetery. The sheriff’s office said the criminal investigation is continuing, and tip lines remain open. (baynews9.com) Families and volunteers are expected to keep checking graves and assisting with cleanup while detectives work to identify who damaged the 17 sites. (wtsp.com)