A noose was found hanging from a tree outside the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C., on Friday evening.
A security officer spotted the noose at around 6:30 p.m., about an after the museum closed. It was removed, and the security officer called U.S. Park Police, according to reports.
David Skorton, secretary of the Smithsonian, called the news “deeply disturbing” in an email sent to staff Saturday morning.
“The Smithsonian is committed to be a welcoming, inclusive, and safe place for all,” Skorton said, according to reports. “I know you join me in deploring this act.”
A criminal investigation is taking place.
