Again. For the third time, the Pride intersection in Delray Beach has been defaced by someone doing burnouts over the rainbow-painted crosswalk.
“This is becoming a rite of passage for LGBTQ haters,” said Rand Hoch, President and Founder of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council.
Surveillance footage released by Delray Beach police shows a black pickup truck stopping at the downtown intersection of NE 1st Street and NE 2nd Street. After a brief pause to let traffic pass, the driver — who appears to be male — revs the engine, makes a sharp turn, and speeds off, leaving behind two black skid marks across the mural.
“It is very disappointing that bigots continue to use Pride month as an excuse to destroy a symbol of equality and inclusion. It is obvious that their goal is to erase us and that is not going to happen,” said Nicholas Coppola, a former candidate for the Delray Beach city commission.
In June 2021 Alexander Jerich, who was 20 years old at the time, used his vehicle to deface the intersection. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 100 hours of community service; two years of probation, and ordered to undergo mental health treatment. He was also ordered to write a 25-page essay on the Pulse nightclub massacre.
Then in 2024, Dylan Brewer, who was 19 years old at the time, used his vehicle to again deface the intersection. He later pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges, ordered 75 hours of community service, and ordered to pay $5,698.71 in restitution.
“Once again, during Pride month, someone drove their truck repeatedly through the newly repainted Delray Beach Pride Intersection, leaving burnouts — literally marks of anti-LGBTQ hate — for all to see,” Hoch said. “Hopefully, with the help of the public, the Delray Beach police will be able to apprehend the perpetrator. And hopefully, with our new State Attorney, the person responsible for this hate crime will be fully prosecuted and held accountable.”
The former state attorney declined to charge either of the previous defendants with a hate crime. Hoch has been concerned about the state attorney going too easy on these individuals.
“That's why we wanted a strong penalty, so that people would know that if you do something like this, you're going to pay,” he said when the plea deal was announced for Brewer. “People are in shock. People feel that they can't be safe going to places where they're celebrating the achievements of our community.”
The right-wing community rallied to Brewer’s defense when he was arrested in February 2024, raising nearly $38,000 for his legal expenses.
“This fund not only supports Brewer's legal defense but also champions the fundamental American values of freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial,” the webpage reads.
Here’s a sample of what some of the donors wrote:
– Use the money to buy a TRX to get longer tracks haha.
– F#ck the LGTB community. Thanks for being a superhero.
– Good work young man! I hope this money removes any cost to you. All the f*g flags should be burnt, and destroyed.
– God's work
Authorities urge anyone with information about the driver’s identity to contact 1-888-441-8477.
