CALGARY - Stopping short of calling it a hate crime, Mounties are on the hunt for the vandal responsible for spray painting two Airdrie, AB, churches and a pastor's home over the Easter weekend.

Between Friday and Sunday, RCMP in Airdrie, located 30 km north of Calgary, received four complaints of vandalism to churches in the city, two that were spray painted both Friday and Saturday nights.

Police believe the same person may be responsible, said Const. Meagan Fillion.

"It is possible, because there are similarities between the graffiti done on all buildings," she said.

"Due to the spelling, the writing style, and other factors police believe the person or persons responsible were in fact attempting to cause damage, but are not classifying the crime as a hate crime."

A custodian noticed the graffiti on Airdrie Alliance Church Saturday but was able to promptly clean it off.
St. Paul's Catholic Church was also tagged with spray paint.

And while Cornerstone Church was safe from the vandalism spree, Pastor Barry Marsten said the culprits struck his home.

"On our front door and window there was a star with a circle and on brick wall the word ‘Repent,'" he said.
As he and his family went to the store to pick up graffiti remover, they drove passed the Alliance Church and found the words, "He is not coming back," and an upside down cross on its front, Marsten said.

He said it was unsettling to find the graffiti on the churches, especially during Easter weekend.

"But we are remembering when Christ died on the cross and what he went through so in perspective, the vandalism is pretty minor," he said.

Marsten added he is forgiving of the culprits.

"They need some help," he said.

A school and some vehicles were also tagged, said Const. Robert Frizzell.