Submitted by ThompsonThree juveniles are accused of vandalism, spray painting political messages on the E. F. Young Hotel Thursday night.

Three white juveniles were picked up by Meridian police and are accused of vandalism after an historic African-American church in downtown Meridian was spray painted with political messages on Thursday night.

Around 8 p.m. a witness saw the three juveniles spray painting the E. F. Young Hotel at 500 25th Avenue, according to Sgt. Daraell Thompson of the Meridian Police Department.

Thompson said the three juveniles were taken into custody.

“We can’t release too many details since they’re juveniles,” Thompson said. “But it will be handled in the youth court.”

The three have been charged with property vandalism, Thompson said. 

A motive has not yet been determined, according to Thompson, but some of the juveniles lived out in Lauderdale County and not in the city limits of Meridian.