'This one is particularly shocking': Racial slur found after Black city councilman's house is set on fire

A hate crime investigation is underway in Indiana after a city councilman's house was set on fire, WTHR reports.

Connersville City Councilman Tommy Lee Williams, Jr., who is Black, and his family were not at home at the time of the fire, but their two pets perished in the blaze. Police say a racial slur was spray painted in the back porch of the home.

"This one is particularly shocking," said Edward Ahmed Mitchell, national deputy director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, "obviously, because of the murders of the animals involved, and the fact that the person explicitly painted the N-word on the councilman's house, leaving no doubt about why this happened. It's an utter act of cowardice, but sadly, not shocking in this day and age."

"Racism is not only the original sin of this country, but it's one of the oldest sins that exists, this belief that some people are better than others because of how they look. That's a hard ideology to get rid of, especially in our country," Mitchell said.

"It's important for the local community to not become afraid, to not become victimized. Rather, it's important to come together in times like this to show solidarity with each other. To let one another know that hate cannot win in this environment. Again, education — the best vaccine against discrimination," Mitchell added.

Watch a report on the story below: