7:40 a.m. update: A man accused of setting fire to the luchador grackle statue outside Austin City Hall early Monday has been identified as 67-year-old Rodney Lynn Cook, Austin fire officials said.
Cook was arrested and charged with criminal mischief Tuesday morning, officials said. Criminal mischief is a state jail felony that is punishable by up to two years in jail, officials said.
Earlier: The luchador grackle statue outside Austin City Hall appears to have burned to the ground in what Austin fire officials suspect was an act of arson.
The statue, titled “Ganador,” was created by artist Christy Stallop. The statue was 6 feet tall and made out of recycled bicycle tires, according to the city.
Austin fire officials released surveillance video footage of a man lighting the grackle statue on fire and then leaving the area. Fire officials said they have identified this “person of interest,” but have not yet arrested anyone.
The man is estimated to be between 55 and 70 years old, officials said. He was last seen wearing a gray or white long-sleeve shirt and dark pants and has a full head of white hair.
Anyone with more information about the fire can call investigators at 512-974-0240 or Capital Area Crime Stoppers at 1-800-893-8477.
Firefighters initially responded at 5:30 a.m. Monday to City Hall for a reported trash fire, but a 911 caller indicated that the art piece was on fire. Crews extinguished the fire but the piece was destroyed, with damage estimated to be worth $5,000.
City officials said “RIP Ganador” on Reddit in response to a post about the statue being burned down.
“Ganador” was commissioned by the Austin Art in Public Places program as part of its 2019 TEMPO Project.
“Ganador ,” a six-foot tall luchador grackle by artist @ChristyStallop is in ashes after a fire early Monday on the City Hall plaza. pic.twitter.com/IDpylGY0cB
— Jay Janner (@jayjanner) March 2, 2020
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