American flags placed along a freeway overpass in Riverside intended to memorialize U.S. servicemembers killed in a terrorist attack in Afghanistan earlier this month were ripped apart by vandals, authorities announced Tuesday.
Fourteen flags hung along the protective fence of the Ivy Street Bridge overlooking the 91 Freeway were intentionally damaged sometime on Sunday. A tipster noticed the the damage and reported it to police.
Riverside police are seeking the public's help in identifying any culprits.
"At this point, we don't have any suspect description," a spokesperson for the Riverside Police Department said in a statement.
Among those memorialized by the flag display were 20-year-old Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem Grant Nikoui of Norco and 22-year-old Marine Cpl. Hunter Lopez of Indio.
Anyone with information about the incident may call the Riverside Police Department at (951) 353-7955.
City News Service contributed reporting to this story.
