RALEIGH, N.C. – A North Carolina Republican Party office in Orange County was attacked Saturday night, officials say.
According to the NCGOP, the office suffered major damage when it was firebombed. Officials say no one was injured during the attack.
On Sunday afternoon, the walls of the multi-room office were covered in black char and a couch was burned down to its springs, The Associated Press reported. Shattered glass covered the floor, and melted campaign yard signs showed warped lettering. By late afternoon, the graffiti was covered in paint.
Republican Party officials say an explosive device was thrown through the window and the words, “Nazi Republicans, leave town or else” was spray painted on a nearby building.
“Whether you are Republican, Democrat, or Independent, all Americans should be outraged by this hate-filled and violent attack against our democracy,” said Dallas Woodhouse, executive director of the North Carolina Republican Party. “Whether the bomb was meant to kill, destroy property, or intimidate voters, everyone in this country should be free to express their political viewpoints without fear for their own safety. We will be requesting additional security at all Republican Party offices and events between now and Election Day to ensure the safety of our activists, volunteers, and supporters.”
The North Carolina Democratic Party released a statement Sunday afternoon regarding the attack:
“The North Carolina Democratic Party strongly condemns this attack. Violence has no place in our political system. We hope the perpetrators of this attack are brought to swift justice, and we are thankful that no one was hurt. Our deepest sympathies are with everyone at the North Carolina Republican Party.”
Following the incident, a democrat in Massachusetts started a GoFundMe page to help the Republican party rebuild their office. The page aimed to raise $10,000 but surpassed their goal in just seven hours, collecting more than $13,000.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton tweeted that she was thankful everyone was safe after the attack.
The attack on the Orange County HQ @NCGOP office is horrific and unacceptable. Very grateful that everyone is safe.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 16, 2016
Republican nominee Donald Trump also tweeted following the attack, laying the blame at "animals" representing Hillary Clinton and North Carolina Democrats.
Animals representing Hillary Clinton and Dems in North Carolina just firebombed our office in Orange County because we are winning @NCGOP
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 16, 2016