Elkhart cross burning investigated by FBI Save Email Print
Posted: 11:56 PM May 7, 2008
 Last Updated: 7:10 PM May 8, 2008
 Reporter: Marcie Kobriger
Email Address: marcie.kobriger@wndu.com
84 comments
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A cross is something most folks in the Riverside Drive area of Elkhart cannot imagine seeing burned.

While they didn’t see it happen at 2:40 in the morning on May 2nd, the knowledge that it did happen in Adam and Maggie Williams’s front yard is just as unsettling.

“I didn’t think anything like that would ever happen around here. I figured that would happen other places,” Robert Simmons, who lives just across the street from the Williams family says.

Another neighbor, Shannon Mowery, wonders if the fact that the couple is bi-racial motivated the action.

“It scared me because my children are also mixed so that makes you nervous and it makes you wonder if its going to affect you as well or if its just a beef between the two of them, or if its something that goes a little deeper,” Mowery says.

In order to dig a little deeper into why the incident happened, the FBI is now investigating the incident as a possible hate crime.

Elkhart police tell us the couple has had problems with some of their neighbors using racial slurs, but nothing criminal had taken place. Police say the charred remains of the cross aren’t necessarily evidence of a crime either.

“If they don’t know why it was burned, I guess it wouldn’t be a crime other than criminal mischief. It’s not even arson because it wasn’t anyone else’s property other than the person who left it there,” Ed Windbigler, Public Information Officer for Elkhart police explains.

If the person who left it there was motivated by hate, and was someone living in the area, nearby residents hope they're the ones motivated to move out.

“If it’s investigated, and this really is what’s taking place, that its hate crimes, then I hope that the landlords take care of the situation and make them leave,” Mowery says.

The Williams family held a press conference Thursday. Nearly a week after it happened, they're still reeling from the sight; but they're thankful for support from a majority of their neighbors.

"We've had flowers and plants, and people wanting to make sure the kids are okay, which we really appreciate," Maggie Williams said.

Meanwhile, their spokesperson, Bradley Vite, is encouraging more people in the Elkhart and surrounding community to stand behind the Williams family.

"If it happens to one of our citizens it happens to all of our citizens," Vite says.
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Posted by: Pilsner Location: Here on May 19, 2008 at 06:02 PM
Rob, learn how to spell and get out of the KKK. It's obvious that you are the product of animal mixing. What does your strange religious belief have to say about that?
Posted by: Rob Location: Elkhart on May 16, 2008 at 03:17 PM
Wow Pilsner, the "black doeboy", you are a very unteresting person. You sure seem to support race-mixing, are you sure your not getto' yourself? Maybe I was wrong about you. You might be one of the hoodrat's car-jacking, spray-painting buildings, and then coming here to write your almighty words of wisdom. It's wrong no matter how you look at it.
Posted by: Pilsner Location: Go away on May 16, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Rob, get lost. You are too stupid and hateful to have any meaningful discussion with me. My profile of you is that you are a Klan member that lives in the back seat of a car in Osceloa and eats government cheese for dinner.
Posted by: Rob Location: Elkhart on May 15, 2008 at 05:36 PM
Pilsner, let me guess, your a fat white guy living in a rich neighborhood which DON'T have to deal with the blacks...hmm? Or are you a druggy yourself and they are your hookup. Moron.
Posted by: Pilsner Location: Here on May 15, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Rob, please take off and get help for your sick racist self.
Posted by: Rob Location: Elkhart on May 15, 2008 at 08:28 AM
Whatever, more than likely your inbred anyway. It's wrong, and your in denial, and politically "correct" has been brainwashing you.
Posted by: sheesh Location: granger on May 14, 2008 at 09:53 PM
How dare anyone do such a stupid and hateful thing to this poor couple. I don't care if they're green and pink, they have a right to a happy and peaceful life together. Why on earth do people have to fuel the flames of racism? God created all men equal. Those who look up to God rarely look down on others.
Posted by: WTH! Location: Everywhere on May 14, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Yes Rob, it is in the Bible, read Song of Solomon and tell me what color the man and woman were. After that, go read The Wonderbreading of our Country and see how you are being used by the white supremacist elite to propagate their beliefs, there is a reason why you are called "white trash"! You are disposable to them. Denying that this is a racially motivated crime is just as ignorant as the people doing it.
Posted by: Anon Location: Here on May 14, 2008 at 08:45 AM
It's apparently everywhere YOU are, Rob. (you fool!)
Posted by: Rob Location: Elkhart on May 13, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Because it really doesn't matter where you live, it's everywhere.
Posted by: Tom Location: Leesburg on May 12, 2008 at 06:02 PM
Hey Rob, why do you live in Indiana if your a Confederate sympathizer. I've got news for you Indiana was one of the bigger contributers of troops to the Union army. The one that defeated your precious Confedracy. Your in the wrong place dude. By the way most people in the 21st century have long abandoned your hateful, biggoted attitudes. So appearantly your in the wrong time to. You are one terribly missplaced dude!
Posted by: Anonymous on May 12, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Rob by the way, you made a very false statement about the Bible. Christianity teaches love and tolerance. Also, where in the Holy Bible does it indicate that it's ok to burn the Cross?? The cross is one of the most important symbols in Christianity. I hope you see the hatred and inconsistency of your reasoning. By the way, you need a grammar lesson too. It's you're (you are) not your.
Posted by: Pilsner Location: Rob needs help on May 12, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Rob, you are a sick individual full of incendiary comments and a racist to the bone!! You need to seek mental health care and diversity counseling. I will not respond to your last comment because it is too hatelful and in need of repair.
Posted by: sarah Location: adams on May 12, 2008 at 10:42 AM
I bet the ones who burned the cross are calling theirselves christians.But why burn a cross? If they stood behind what they were doing they wouldn't have set the fire to the cross and left they would have showed their faces. God created us all and he loves all of us, so who are they to judge. What they did was was evil sneaky, and hateful. They are a bunch of hateful punks!
Posted by: Rob Location: Elkhart on May 11, 2008 at 06:25 PM
Yes, eye for an eye. And the civil war comment, well, let's just say it would have been a much better America if the war had turned out differently. All of you proud race mixing machines out there, your probably unatractive or overweight, that's why your with them - that's all they can get...after the wedding, you also will be waiting on your welfare check. More people think the way I do, their just to scared to say it.
Posted by: Tony Z. Location: Laporte on May 11, 2008 at 02:55 PM
I'm Tony Zirkle and I approve this cross burning!
Posted by: AnbodyWithCommonSense Location: Anywhere on May 10, 2008 at 01:36 PM
To Rob and others who quote bible. In bible it says "...Eye for an eye..." Do you think it is justified to say if someone pokes your eye, you should poke theirs?
Posted by: Pilsner Location: Indiana needs hate crime statute on May 10, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Indiana, Please make cross burning a hate crime. This is a crime against religion and race!! Indian, Why are you so for behind the times!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Pilsner Location: Rob is a racist on May 10, 2008 at 01:25 PM
Rob, you are a extremely sick, hateful and racist individual!! You need help!!! You must be reading the satanic Bible!! The Holy Bible teaches love and acceptance of other races. This love extends to dating and marriage outside of your own race.
Posted by: Pilsner Location: Tammi is insane in the brain!! on May 10, 2008 at 01:21 PM
Tammi, Tammi, Tammi, I must say, I am absolutely, positively, 100% appalled by your comments!!!! I bet you are not even smart enough to begin to comprehend how racist your original blog posting is and the horrid ugliness that it represents in the country. Are you a member of the KKK? No, seriously. It's folks like you that I find very shady!!! Whoever burned this cross will be put in prison for a hate crime and eventually have to answer to a higher power. The FBI is involved because this is a Federal crime. Please get an education and do not procreate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: average Christian on May 10, 2008 at 02:06 AM
me, No one responded because nobody was sure what you were trying to say. But obviously Jesus would not support any kind of racism since His whole message is a message of love and unity. Only selfish, fearful, bigoted people could ever try to twist the words of the Bible to support racism or hatred of any kind.
Posted by: me Location: mishawaka on May 9, 2008 at 08:55 PM
I see none of you super Christians had anything to say about my last post.
Posted by: Tom Location: Leesburg on May 9, 2008 at 12:41 PM
I can't beleive this kind of archaic, backwoods,hillrat, redneck kind of thing can still happen in this day and age.And to suggest that it's "not a crime" or "it's no big deal" only indicates the complete and total ignorance of the people making such claims. Would they say the same thing if it had been a swastika painted on a synagogue? I certainly hope not. Either CRIME is the symbol of horrible things that happened to people in the past merely because of their race. I don't agree with the hate crime idea, but I do think the police need to step this way up and take it much more seriously. Even if it was "just kids" they need to be stopped NOW before they get worse. And to the couples neighbors who have harrased them, JOIN THE 21st CENTURY!!! There's nothing wrong with a mixed race couple!
Posted by: Anonymous on May 9, 2008 at 11:37 AM
I cannot believe that people can still do this stuff.We our all equal love see's no color so why?? does it seem like the couple had to go through this.INDIANA NEEDS A HATE CRIME LAW!!!! this also need to be address that there needs to be a law in place against the KKK clan cause they just a bunch of whimps hiding under white hat clothes and dress's trying to think there batter then african american even against there own white race ... SLAVERY IS OVER SO GET OVER IT MAN I HOPE OBAMA WINS
Posted by: me Location: mishawaka on May 9, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Blanche, you have a very good point about the thought police thing. And to the super Christians out there referencing the Bible, come on, you're saying it like this cross burning is justified. How Christian-like is that? "Jesus died for our sins" and if you consider that a sin, then remember what your Jesus died for, and if your God is such a true forgiving God then wouldn't he forgive? Your comments make you no better than the perpetrators and that's just so sad. Personally I've never been attracted to a black man and I don't necessarily want to be, HOWEVER, if I fall in love with someone of another race, and that is who fulfills my every need and desire then so be it. So if divine intervention is so powerful and all of that, can't I consider my love with a member from another race divine intervention? Or does divinity get thrown out the window when race is involved? Doubt it. If God didn't want it to happen it wouldn't, just like cats and dogs cant breed. Duh.
Posted by: Funny Man Location: Around Here on May 9, 2008 at 07:12 AM
Maybe they should have used a gas pump instaed of a cross. As much talk as this generated maybe we would get some attention on the gas prices.
Posted by: Bonnie Location: Elkhart on May 9, 2008 at 06:53 AM
When I read the headline in the Elkhart Truth about the cross buring I was totally shocked! My niece is married to a black man and they have three beautiful children. They met in college and fell in love. Why are just a few still judging a person by skin color? I find this to be such a tarnish of the Elkhart community, but definitely not the feelings of the majority.
Posted by: Serious Sally Location: South Bend on May 8, 2008 at 11:55 PM
For whatever the reason, burning the cross was wrong. For all of those who think this was done for national attention or to take attention away from the election, I think the person what not smart enough for to think of such a thing. It takes a stupid, ignorant, clueless, rude and disgusting person to do such a careless act. The world has enough hatred from one side to the next, at least get along with your neighbors. Try acting like JESUS CHRIST for just a single moment. It may transform your life.
Posted by: Blanche Location: Elkhart on May 8, 2008 at 10:27 PM
The problem with the "hate" crime laws, is that its the beginning of the thought police. I mean, punch a guy you don't care for and you get a misdomeanor charge, but punch a guy that you had serious emotional thoughts against-wow, thats a felony. Huh? Thoughts can't be policed, only actions, and personally, I have to question anyone who does horrible, mean, hurtful, and selfish things to others, and then tries to claim they DON'T hate them. I can't believe even a boneheaded, inbred, cross-eyed, six-toed, knuckle-dragging, mouthbreathing moron would be stupid enough to burn a cross as a prank. It's a scummy thing done by scummy little cowards in the middle of the night.
Posted by: Frank Location: SB on May 8, 2008 at 09:26 PM
Wow.. It's hard to believe that we still have this many ignorant people living in the state of Indiana only 142 years after the end of the Civil War.
Posted by: Mom5 Location: South Bend on May 8, 2008 at 08:58 PM
Children! Children! Let's all play nicely. Remember, it was anger that incited someone to commit this crime we're discussing. Now, some are black, some are white, some are poor spellers, some are not English majors, some are bigots. . . If we can't manage to coexist with those who post here, simply because they have some quirk or opinion that annoys us, how can we give our high-minded opinions on how the people in this news story ought to behave? Chew on this: maybe we all have the seeds of this sort of hatred somewhere in ourselves, and the question is, how much time will we spend watering and feeding them?
Posted by: Marcy Location: ???? on May 8, 2008 at 08:41 PM
This world is getting worse and worse. Most people just want the attetion but this is over the top. I mean get real people there are plenty of mixed couples out there. That does not give anyone the right to burn a cross. Just think about what people are turning this world into.
Posted by: me Location: mishawaka on May 8, 2008 at 06:45 PM
Doesn't the KKK Grand Dragon live in Osceola or something? Or what about KKK guy Richard Loy, if we have all this KKK presence why don't we have any kind of hate crimes law? Most of the time they keep to themselves, but in this case, whoever it was them or a bunch of kids according to steve-o, they decided to be cowardly cross burners. I'm still not understanding why we don't have a hate crime law and why the Elkhart PD is confused about the reason for the burning. How slow/stupid can they be?
Posted by: Travis Location: Chicago on May 8, 2008 at 05:06 PM
First off, "What?", I think the FBI has better things to do than trace people for writing on a news blog... trust me, its the last thing on their list. Next, "Anonymous", though I do not hate on someone for having a faith, these opinions are best left to yourself; this happens to be why they call it a 'belief'. However, if you look at 'science', you would see cold hard facts proving otherwise; though this is neither here nor there. All that is to say about this terrible situation is that the criminals involved in this happening are ignorant and uneducated. People of this caliber and, sorry to say, stereotypically economic standing, commit such acts because they unfortunately grew up in a similar situation. It would be nice to think that someday people would open their eyes and see that when we bleed we bleed the same, but there will always be individuals not cognizant of this. To the criminals, try traveling outside of South Bend (Osceola) for once in your life.
Posted by: What? Location: South Bend on May 8, 2008 at 04:45 PM
To Who? - You are correct, I did lose my cool...just tired I guess. By my first fact, I meant no one cares about the religious rantings. My favorite one so far was a story about work on a highway that some nut turned into a rant about Jesus proving we should not kill babies. Wish I could still access that story.
Posted by: Anon Location: SB on May 8, 2008 at 04:40 PM
Rex - I also burn leaves...I think it is ok as long as you don't make them into the shape of a cross first. What? - good points, a little ranting though. Courtney - sorry but you should not be allowed to post as you are clearly an idiot..."defended by incorrect spelling"...and what does "rowd up" mean?
Posted by: jim Location: SB on May 8, 2008 at 04:26 PM
they THINK it was a hate crime? is there such thing as a love crime? maybe it's a lower case "t" for thank you.
Posted by: Who? Location: Complacenceville on May 8, 2008 at 04:22 PM
What? You lost your cool there. They got to you didn't they? Not to nitpick, but your first "fact" was more of a suggestion really. But I'm with you brother(sister?), perhaps together we can rid this forum of spelling errors, then in time move onto grammar too. Brave new world my friend. Go Obama!
Posted by: Courtney Location: Here on May 8, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Just a quick thank you to all who defended by incorrect spellings the first time around. I was so angry at this story I couldn't type fast enough. I guess proof reading would prove to be a benefit so we don't get all the ignorance out there all rowd up!
Posted by: What? Location: South Bend on May 8, 2008 at 04:05 PM
To everyone who comments on me "attacking people for spelling errors"...go back to SKUUUL. A couple of facts... 1. All the religious nuts can get off their high horse and stop posting on every story...no one cares. 2. The person (or people) who commits the acts don't care enough to read WNDU so attacking them with your postings won't amount to anything. 3. I would not be posting anything negative about the FBI or police...do you think WNDU would not share this information? Or are you to dumb to think they won't keep track of who posts? Here is a clue...just because you call yourself "anon" or "jesusfreak" doesn't keep them from figuring out where the post came from.
Posted by: Brenda Location: Michigan on May 8, 2008 at 03:47 PM
To Doug, Rob and Steve-O all three of you must live on the moon, or are you upset that someone stole your HOOD to do the job? Maybe that's why the KKK wear's HOOD'S because they feel so stupid and ashamed of what their about to do they are not MAN enough to show their FACES so they hide like LITTLE green men behind the mask????????? and for Ed Windbigler has anyone checked to see if he's Kin to that New York Judge?????? Seems like stupidity run's in there family. Elkhart need to Fire him and move on, unless " They don't know what he's being fired for" Ed sounds like your quote!!!!! I guess they don't really know the South LOST maybe they should READ A BOOK, and not one with only Pictures either...........
Posted by: Anonymous Location: ?? on May 8, 2008 at 03:32 PM
To doug and all the rest of you how stupid can you be. You know that if we go back in time we are not of the white race. If you would read the bible God created Adam and Eve and where do you think that was. Lets see the middle east. So before you make stupid comments for everyone to read maybe you should go back and trace your family!!
Posted by: Rex Location: Elkhart on May 8, 2008 at 03:30 PM
I burned leaves in my yard.
Posted by: Gushwa from Georgia on May 8, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Absolute cowards. The types of people who will never accept inter-racial relationships and engage in such hatefull behavior are the arrogant, uneducated fools, who fancy themselves the ultimate gift of Gods creation. - and what a gift such people are! - burning crosses, terrifying young children, and being man (or woman) enough to do it under the cover of darkness to elude discovery. So where are you now? Stand up, Step forward and take credit for your actions. Cowards, absolute cowards.
Posted by: Lee on May 8, 2008 at 03:25 PM
To VHK, How ignorant and prejudice your reply was. Just because someone may not have an education and poor this make them a bigot. It seems from what you said you are just as guilty as whoever burned the cross.
Posted by: LCB on May 8, 2008 at 03:21 PM
Was the cross burned in their yard OR was a burnt cross left in their yard? I'm confused.
Posted by: Tammi Location: SB on May 8, 2008 at 03:16 PM
Maybe they had an Obama sign in their yard.
Posted by: Me Location: Goshen on May 8, 2008 at 03:12 PM
What a shameful way to get national attention!
Posted by: Jimy on May 8, 2008 at 03:04 PM
I aggree with Tamy. hoo cars if sumbudy mispells wurds. yu can red this, cannt yu? Due yu thikn Im stoopid becuz I spel lik this?
Posted by: Bob Location: Mishawaka on May 8, 2008 at 03:00 PM
Tammy, whilst looking in your dictionary for the correct spelling of "ignorance", read a little further and a check out "Irony" too.
Posted by: VHK Location: SOUTH bEND on May 8, 2008 at 02:55 PM
It is sad to see that there is still such ignorance in the world. As a white person, I am ashamed of whoever did this. Chances are they are illerate, uneducated, and close to poverty level along with having a great deal in their own back yard to clean up. What a jerk!!!!!!!
Posted by: Tracie Location: South Bend on May 8, 2008 at 02:34 PM
What a horrible crime. I'm sure that was very frightening for that family. Elkhart, you should get a new Public Information Officer. Ed Windbigler seems extremely ignorant and insensitive.
Posted by: Confused on May 8, 2008 at 02:18 PM
I don't understand the one-sidedness of these comments. With the kkk being based right here in michiana, you think there'd be more hysterical racism showing up. Where are all the Tony Zirkle fans? Off fighting porn dragons, I guess.
Posted by: Connie Location: Warsaw on May 8, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Indiana doesn't need any new laws. A cross-burning is a threat-harrassment-littering-illegal burning-trespassing, and these things are already against the law. Prosecute the morons for all of them. And, really, aren't all crimes motivated by hatred? So why try to class certain activities as hate crimes, when the fact that they are crimes is bad enough? I am disgusted that anyone would think these poor people should "get over it" or that the FBI is wasting time solving crime, but if someone in the area is selfish, small-minded and ignorant enough to feel justified in burning a cross, we shouldn't be surprised when they are selfish, small-minded and ignorant enough to not realize the damage to THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY such absurdly archaic acts of cowardice can cause. I would like to offer my sympathy to the Gushwa/Gushwa-Williams family. It's not as though life isn't hard enough without some stupid coward acting foolishly. Remember the Word-seek peace and pursue it. I'm praying for you.
Posted by: Doug Location: California on May 8, 2008 at 01:50 PM
This was God's will, not a person. Why do you think it was at 2 in the morning? Besides, mixing is wrong, unless it's marble cake. - Go Betty Crocker!!
Posted by: Rob Location: Elkhart on May 8, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Hope you get a cross SB Resident. It's wrong. I agree with "ME" 12:09, it's just kids, get over it.
Posted by: Rodney Location: Goshen on May 8, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Dissapointing. Humans have the capacity to do some of the greatest things, and some of the worst.
Posted by: Atheist on May 8, 2008 at 12:45 PM
No one has mentioned the obvious - that it is religion that allows people to continue to beleive that they can do things like this and the bible makes it ok, or that god is on their side. Religion gives people dangerous ideas, and this is more proof of that. After all, it wasn't an atheist symbol being burned, it was a cross.
Posted by: Ashamed Location: Elkhart on May 8, 2008 at 12:39 PM
To whoever committed this serious crime, thank you for making the citizens of Elkhart look like a bunch of ignorant, inbred, backwoods, classless rednecks. You need to leap into the 21st Century & mind your own business. The South lost, get over it.
Posted by: Laurie Location: Niles on May 8, 2008 at 12:36 PM
I agree with Geoff...what was Ed W., sheriff, thinking on this interview? Let's just say it was criminal mischief. Let's not take it seriously...Aaaghhh.
Posted by: anonymous Location: Elkhhart on May 8, 2008 at 12:25 PM
I agree with Steve-O, I think it is just kids messing around. I seriously doubt that an adult would do such a thing, at least someone older than 18...
Posted by: SB Resident Location: South Bend Indiana on May 8, 2008 at 12:16 PM
I don't see why we still have racism and people not wanting to see bi-racial couples. We are all still people and the same on the inside. We just have a different color of skin. I am a white wom