August 14, 2024A beloved mural of Beatles founder John Lennon in San Diego's Pacific Beach has been completely destroyed by graffiti, prompting police to seek the public's help in identifying the culprit.
The wall-sized mural, created by Insight 51 artists in 2006, adorned the west side of the building at 1020 Garnet Avenue. Over the years, it had become a local landmark, enduring through various tenants, including a cannabis dispensary, a Five Guys restaurant, and, most recently, a smoke shop.
Last week, surveillance footage captured a vandal (pictured above) spray-painting over the cherished mural. In the wake of the damage, the wall has been completely repainted in blue, erasing the iconic image entirely. The owner of 365 Reloaded Smoke Shop, the current occupant of the building, hopes to commission a new mural honoring the legendary Beatles vocalist.
San Diego Police are asking for the public's assistance in identifying the vandal captured on video, hoping to prevent further property damage. Anyone with information about the suspect is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 619.235.8477 or contact us at
[email protected].
