A newly completed street mural in Stockton, dedicated to the city and its Minor League Baseball team, the Ports, was defaced just hours after it was finished. The mural, located at Van Buren and Fremont Streets, was damaged when a driver performed burnouts and donuts over it, causing significant destruction.
The artist behind the mural, Kia Duras-Carter, expressed her disappointment over the incident. "I was in shock. I was sad more than mad," she said. "Why would someone want to do that? Why would you want to mess it up?"
Duras-Carter and her team of volunteers had worked tirelessly to complete the mural in just two days after months of planning. The Downtown Stockton Alliance funded the project, spending $15,000 in private funds for paint, labor, and road closures, with no taxpayer dollars used. The damage done to the mural is estimated to be at least $8,000.
The Stockton Police Department is investigating the incident and has video footage of the driver. Authorities are working to identify the individual responsible for the vandalism.
Despite the setback, Duras-Carter remains optimistic. "Those marks can be fixed. There's nothing that can't be undone," she said. She added that many people have already reached out, offering to help repair the mural when work begins.
Duras-Carter and her team are also planning another mural in downtown Stockton, demonstrating their commitment to beautifying the city and bringing the community together, even in the face of adversity.
Sources: CBS Sacramento
