A sculpture in front of the Blarney Stone in downtown Sioux Falls was vandalized on Thursday, June 19, around 5:45 p.m. The sculpture, titled “Tornado” and created by artist Gedion Nyanhongo, was valued at $17,100. Christopher Buchanan, a 45-year-old Sioux Falls man, was identified and arrested for the vandalism. He has been charged with one count of felony intentional damage to property.
The sculpture’s destruction led to further damage when it fell onto a parked vehicle nearby.
Sioux Falls sculpture vandalized
The incident has shocked the artistic community and raised concerns over security for public artworks.
About an hour after the incident, Buchanan was apprehended by the Sioux Falls Police. The vandalized sculpture has since been removed. The Sioux Falls Police Department has expressed gratitude for the swift response that led to the arrest.
If anyone has additional information regarding the incident, they are encouraged to contact the Sioux Falls Police Department at (605) 367-7000 or Crime Stoppers at (605) 367-7007.
