State offers $5,000 reward for information on Orange Co. GOP headquarters attack

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. – — Governor Pat McCrory announced today a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the firebombing of the Orange County Republican Headquarters over the weekend.”The firebombing of a local political headquarters was clearly an act of intimidation and I’m going to do everything I can to find the individual or individuals who committed this assault on our democracy,” said Governor McCrory in a statement Wednesday. “I remain committed to using every resource as governor to assist local authorities in this investigation.”Police say the attack happened on Sunday morning, Oct. 16, at approximately 8:58 a.m. The headquarters are located at 347 Ja-Max Dr. in Hillsborough. Investigators have said they have few leads on who set the headquarters on fire and spray painted on an adjoining building the words “Nazi Republicans, get out or else.”Meanwhile, volunteers have been cleaning up the site while campaign workers continue party operations on folding tables outside on the sidewalk and parking lot. Those stopping by for yard signs are sometimes put to work, hauling off burned furniture and destroyed memorabilia. McCrory toured what’s left of the building Monday evening. The attack made national news after images of the burned out building, torched Republican campaign signs and threatening graffiti were released. After viewing the damage, McCrory said it is clear that the perpetrators want anarchy. He said it goes beyond political differences, calling the violence an ‘attack on democracy.’ The governor said he is concerned about copycat attacks. “That’s what they do in other countries, not in North Carolina,” McCrory said. “…This is someone who wants anarchy. And that’s not our country and that’s not our state.””Violence has no place in our society – but especially in our elections. Fortunately no one was injured; however, I will use every resource as governor to assist local authorities in this investigation,” he added.With just weeks to go before the November 8 election, N.C.GOP leadership said it is common for volunteers and staff workers to be there late at night and early in the morning. They call it fortunate that no one happened to be in the building at the time of the attack. “Whether you are Republican, Democrat or Independent, all Americans should be outraged by this hate-filled and violent attack against our democracy,” said NCGOP Executive Director Dallas Woodhouse. “Everyone in this country should be free to express their political viewpoints without fear for their own safety.”Anyone having information concerning the case should contact the State Bureau of Investigation at (919) 662-4500.N.C.