Alarming video shows a Molotov cocktail being thrown into a donut shop days before it was due to host a drag event – the second time in two weeks the shop was vandalized.
The latest attack on The Donut Hole in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a locally owned and operated business, occurred around 2 a.m. Monday evening.
The shocking video shows the masked intruder throwing a wooden stick into the retail store’s front window, shattering the glass before lighting a Molotov cocktail, throwing it inside the store and then fleeing, The Kansas City Star reported.
A neighboring business said it also had a letter posted on its door with “anti-LGBTQ rhetoric.”
City Fire Department officials said the person responsible will be charged with arson and endangering life, KOTV News reported.
The alleged hate crime happened fifteen days before a second drag queen event was scheduled to take place at the donut restaurant.
The video shows the disguised man throwing the Molotov cocktail into the window
The aftermath of the Molotov cocktail and vandalism at The Donut Shop in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Queens Dirty Dozens, run by drag queens, planned to give away 300 free donuts at Monday night’s event to thank the community for their support after the first vandalism incident took place on Oct. 15
Queens Dirty Dozens, run by drag queens, planned to give away 300 free donuts at Monday night’s event to thank the community for their support after the first vandalism incident took place on Oct. 15.
Restaurant Donut Hole supported The Queens Dirty Dozens and hosted their art installation event at their venue with more than 500 attendees.
After the initial violent attack, The Queens Dirty Dozen took to social media with the message: “We survive. Love still wins.”
But when it happened a second time, Daniel Gulick, the host of the event, expressed his dismay.
“My art installation was the trigger for these terrible acts. I know I’m not responsible, but I can’t help but take some of the blame for these things. It’s a terrible feeling.’
Pictured are The Donut Hole owners Sarah Swain and Brian Hunter
The exterior of The Donut Hole, a locally owned and operated donut shop, is located in the Brookside neighborhood of Tulsa
The Donut Hole serves classic glazed specialty donuts and hot coffee. The photo shows the interior of the retail store
Sarah Swain stands next to the boarded up window that was boarded up following the latest attack on her donut shop, which took place around 2am Monday
The store owners – Sarah Swain and Brian Hunter – told the news outlet the damage to their store was minimal when the store was first vandalized.
The art-inspired event at The Donut Hole was Gulick’s idea to transform the donut shop into The Queens Dirty Dozens for one night. During the event, drag queens gave out donut sculptures with bright colors or phrases written on them.
But hours after the event, Swain and Hunter saw their store vandalized, including a broken window, KTUL reported.
On October 16, the owners took to Facebook to share the news of their event’s success, but also the hate reaction, which they described as “malicious acts.”
“But in trying to rain down rain on our parade, the community responded with overwhelming support,” the owners wrote. “These malicious actions have resulted in thousands of dollars being poured into the cause this entire event was designed to support. Love wins.’
After the first incident, the community rallied and a GoFundMe was formed, raising more than $24,000.
According to Tulsa firefighters, there is one person of interest in the recent arson case, but it’s unclear if it was the same person who carried out the first act.
The Brookside Business Association, which oversees the Brookside district in Tulsa, said they were “heartbroken” by the vandalism, stating in part that “violence will never be the right answer.”
“As the trade association representing Brookside, we unconditionally and unequivocally condemn these destructive acts and conduct.”