The National Park Service has confirmed that the liner of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., was deliberately slashed overnight, causing significant damage.
The incident, which occurred between 10 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.
m. Thursday, has been classified as a security breach. Park rangers discovered the vandalism during a routine patrol.
The pool, a centrepiece of the memorial landscape between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, was drained for repairs. Officials are assessing the extent of the damage. No arrests have been made.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been notified, given the site's symbolic importance and its proximity to other national monuments. The National Park Service is reviewing security footage. The incident raises questions about perimeter security across the National Mall, which has been a focal point for protests and gatherings.
A spokesperson for the National Park Service said the agency is taking the matter seriously and will implement additional security measures. The Reflecting Pool, completed in 1923, underwent a $34 million renovation in 2012. It is expected to remain closed until repairs are completed.
