Republican field office in North Carolina 'firebombed,' police say

A Republican Party field office in central North Carolina was "firebombed" early Sunday, according to law enforcement.

Police say the incident occurred when someone threw a bottle of flammable liquid through the window of the building in Hillsborough, a town located between Greensboro and Raleigh, the Old North State's capital.

According to the Charlotte Observer, one local GOP official declared the incident an act of "political terrorism."

In addition to the firebomb, police said the phrase, "Nazi Republicans get out of town or else," was spray painted on an adjacent building. The Republican office, however, was a total loss, Dallas Woodhouse, executive director of the N.C. GOP, said in a written statement, according to WJZY-TV.

"Whether you are Republican, Democrat, or Independent, all Americans should be outraged by this hate-filled and violent attack against our democracy," Woodhouse wrote. "Whether the bomb was meant to kill, destroy property, or intimidate voters, everyone in this country should be free to express their political viewpoints without fear for their own safety."

The town's mayor, Tom Stevens, added in a statement that the "highly disturbing act goes far beyond vandalizing property."

"[I]t willfully threatens our community’s safety via fire, and its hateful message undermines decency, respect and integrity in civic participation," Stevens said, according to the Observer. "I believe I speak for the overwhelming majority of people … Acts like this have no place in our community."

Meanwhile, Woodhouse said the state GOP will be requesting additional security at all offices and events through Election Day to ensure the safety of volunteers, activists and supporters.

—