Woody's Classic Sports Pub’s owner discovered the shattered front door window early Thursday morning.
The news started spreading around social media with some believing it was another in a series of alleged racist and homophobic acts sparked by the results of Tuesday's election.
Owner Jeff Edmondson said the rumors that this was one such crime are most likely false.
"We’re pretty sure it wasn’t hate oriented. Evidence just showed it was probably a homeless person or some drunk," said Edmondson, who believes a brick used as a doorstop was likely what the perpetrator used.
Edmondson said he fears if people continue to spread the misinformation it could have an adverse response.
"Part of the danger is when you get that word out there that oh this was a hate crime. If there is someone out there who feels like they have a responsibility to act upon their feelings that could then turn into a hate crime. When you get that word out there then it could possibly draw them in, like they think, 'Oh that’s an easy target. We should go in there and do something,’ then that makes it more dangerous for all of us," said Edmondson. "I just think that we should guard against… I guess the word’s not glorifying a hate crime but publicizing it. People should be aware, but they shouldn’t turn something that isn’t necessarily a hate crime into a hate crime because it could motivate somebody to do something they wouldn’t normally do."
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Brian Abel can be reached at brian.abel@kshb.com.
