The Tulsa Police Department released surveillance images on Facebook on November 12, showing an individual wearing a dark hoodie and an orange backpack vandalizing the mural in the early hours of October 27. The public artwork, located at 111 North Greenwood Avenue, was left with a significant horizontal tear. Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact the city’s crime stoppers unit.
“More than anything else, I feel just a really strong sense of grief for the loss to the community,” Hill said in response to the incident.
The mural was created to mark the centennial of the 1921 massacre and celebrates Greenwood’s rich history and the determination of its residents, who rebuilt their community despite systemic racism, restrictive zoning laws, and a lack of financial aid from insurers. It depicts key figures such as educators, World War I veterans, and business leaders like Simon Berry, a transportation entrepreneur shown alongside his biplane. The piece was commissioned by the Greenwood banking platform and has become a popular site for local tours.
