Bradenton<\/p>\n
Broken headstones, damaged graves and spray-painted graffiti now mark a historic Palmetto cemetery after vandals targeted the site, according to investigators.<\/p>\n
The Manatee County Sheriff\u2019s Office is investigating vandalism at Old Memphis Cemetery in Palmetto, where deputies say 17 gravesites were damaged with broken and knocked-down headstones, graffiti and damaged concrete.<\/p>\n
Officials said the vandalism occurred in the section of the cemetery maintained by Manatee County Government at 202 25th St. W. Some headstones were knocked over or broken, and some had been spray-painted with \u201cTrump\u201d and \u201cRon DeSantis.\u201d<\/p>\n
Detectives said evidence indicates at least some of the gravesites were damaged and defaced with spray paint \u201cduring or before\u201d March, according to the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
The sheriff\u2019s office said investigators have found no indication that any human remains were removed from the gravesites.<\/p>\n
The Old Memphis Cemetery in Palmetto was the target of vandals who smashed graves, headstones and spray-painted. Photos taken on May 12, 2026. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com Historic Palmetto cemetery vandalized, deputies say<\/p>\n
Old Memphis Cemetery is tied to Palmetto\u2019s historic Memphis neighborhood, which was originally plotted in 1904, according to a state historical marker at the site<\/a>. The marker says the cemetery became the final resting place of many African Americans, many of whom worked in the area\u2019s farming fields, groves and packing houses. The cemetery came under the care of Manatee County in 1988, according to the marker.<\/p>\n Manatee officials say they are now working to repair the damaged gravesites.<\/p>\n \u201cThe County is currently coordinating with a specialized contractor to assess and repair the damaged grave sites and is also evaluating additional security measures for the area,\u201d Manatee County Government spokesperson Michael Strollo told the Bradenton Herald in an email. \u201cRepairs are expected to be scheduled as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n The investigation remains active and no arrests have been made, according to the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to contact investigators at (941) 747-3011<\/a>. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Manatee County Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS<\/a> or through ManateeCrimeStoppers.com<\/a>, where tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.<\/p>\n CrimeStoppers of Manatee County is offering a reward of up to $3,000 for information leading to an arrest, while the Gold Star Club of Manatee County is offering an additional $1,000 reward, according to the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n The Old Memphis Cemetery in Palmetto was the target of apparent vandals who smashed graves, headstones and spray-painted. Several people were walking through the graves to see if their loved ones\u2019 graves were damaged. Photos taken on May 12, 2026. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com <\/p>\n