MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) — Investigators are trying to unravel an unusual vandalism case.

Someone damaged at least nine grave sites at a family cemetery belonging to a Revolutionary War captain.

He was one of the founders of Murfreesboro.

Officials with the Capt. William Lytle family cemetery said the repairs could cost nearly $50,000.

"It was like a gut punch," Tennessee Sons of the American Revolution Stones River Chapter President Robert Bolyard said. "It was very sad, especially with all this patriotic information on the monuments behind me."

Tennessee Sons of the American Revolution Stones River Chapter members found the damage.

"We were here to make plans to restore and preserve and maintain this cemetery," Jim Sandman, chapter second vice president and registrar, said. "We discovered the vandalism last Friday."

Police are investigating and haven't released a motive.

Members wonder if all this damage was caused by more than one person.

Capt. Lytle still has relatives in Rutherford County.

"It's very senseless," Sandman said. "We aren't sure why or who did this. We are going to make it better."

Members said they're hoping cameras from a neighboring business captured the crime.

The group hopes to have the graves repaired by next Fourth of July, which is America's 250th birthday.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/murfreesboro/historic-grave-sites-vandalized-in-murfreesboro/