'4 Every Kid Afflicted, A Public Figure Will Die' Threatens Graffiti Seen On City Buildings That Targets New Vaccine Law
POMONA (CBSLA.com) — From Pomona to West Hollywood to Beverly Hills, graffiti apparently targeting a new law in California requiring that nearly all children be vaccinated has been spotted.
The graffiti seen on city buildings and freeways states: "4 every kid afflicted, a public figure will DIE." Underneath, "SB277" is written.
SB277 is California's vaccination bill that triggered a fierce debate after being signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown this week.
Police said an Ontario man identified as 28-year-old Marlon Andrino is accused of the crime. On Thursday night, the suspect's mother spoke to CBS2 through her door.
CBS2/KCAL9 Reporter Crystal Cruz: "Is he a nurse or a dad?"
Suspect's Mother: "No."
CBS2/KCAL9 Reporter Crystal Cruz: "No? Does he live here?"
Suspect's Mother: "He lives with me."
CBS2/KCAL9 Reporter Crystal Cruz: "Did he say why he was so upset about the law?"
Suspect's Mother: "We have talked sometimes, but I don't know what to say right now."
Beverly Hills police confirmed that photographs posted onto Instagram show the graffiti. A witness took down the suspect's license plate and made a report.
Andrino's mom says her son is a good person.
CBS2/KCAL9 Reporter Crystal Cruz: "Does he hang out over there? Does he have friends in that area?"
Suspect's Mother: "Probably, yeah. He's already an adult. He lives here. He is very respectful to me and everybody in this home, but, umm, I don't know."
The graffiti on the Beverly Hill's Chamber of Commerce can't be painted over because it's stone. City leaders are covering it up with paper until they figure out how to remove it.
Police won't release a photo of Andrino but said he's facing multiple counts of felony vandalism. He could also face more charges later, police say, because of the threatening language of the graffiti.
Cleanup crews have painted over some of the graffiti.