Abraham Lincoln statue smeared with faeces; arrested suspect is a Black Lives Matter activist

A Black Lives Matter activist in Idaho has reportedly been arrested for allegedly smearing faeces and throwing paint on an Abraham Lincoln statue.

37 years old Terry Wilson was arrested earlier this week by Boise police, who received a warrant based on physical and electronic evidence, the Idaho Statesman reported.

In February, officers discovered the bronze statue known as “Seated Lincoln” in Julia Davis Park which was vandalized with feces, paint, and signs.

City workers were able to clean the statue as it was not permanently damaged.

Police said that the suspect fled from officers as they tried to arrest him on Tuesday.

Police said in a statement that they chased after Wilson and were able to stop him and take him into custody, he was found to own a firearm, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia at that time. 

“Wilson was taken to the hospital and was medically cleared before being booked into the Ada County Jail,” they added.

He faces several misdemeanor counts, including destroying monuments, ornaments, and public improvements, resisting and obstructing officers, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

According to the Daily Wire, the suspect has identified himself online as an associate professor at Boise State University and has been described as the Boise Black Lives Matter chapter spokesman in local reports.

In an update, the news outlet reported that Boise State said Wilson is “not a current student nor employee of the university.”