Update:Temple of the High Country Incident and Investigation

Boone -- Town of Boone Police Department February 22, 2023:
As reported previously, there was an incident at the

Temple of the High Country on February 15. An individual was displaying an anti-Semitic flag bearing the image of a swastika in front of the Temple. The individual left prior to our arrival but left the flag behind. We have seized the flag and continue to investigate the incident.

We have been in contact with the State Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and our District Attorney from the early stages of our investigation to share information and discuss the case. If we are able to identify the suspect, we will certainly charge any applicable crimes that are established during the course of our investigation.

As your police chief, I am cautious to offer my personal opinions during on-going investigations as they are not useful in matters of law. I understand what this flag represents, hate. The flag and its meaning certainly opposes my personal values and those of our police department. Additionally, I feel strongly that this hateful act has no moral place in our community.
We will continue to investigate this incident and have recently updated our Crime Stoppers release with better images of the suspected individual and their vehicle. We are asking for the public's assistance in helping to identify this person.

We continue to offer our support to the leadership and members of the Temple of the High Country. Tonight at 6 PM our Town Officials will be offering an Antisemitism resolution. We want to invite our community to come and support our Jewish friends and neighbors at the Boone Council Chambers located at 1500 Blowing Rock Road for the reading of this resolution.
Chief Andy Le Beau