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BRIGHAM CITY — Austin Forsgren made an upsetting discovery as he went outside to put the family recycling at the curb Monday night.
"I'm more annoyed and angry than anything at this point," Forsgren explained.
He spotted spray-painted anarchy symbols on the front lawn and walkway.
"(I) ran in the house, screaming. Very angry," Forsgren said.
He said moments later, his sister noticed damage to his pride flag.
"(She) came out on the porch and saw that the flag was torn and told me," he said. "I was not too surprised."
The damaged flag has led Forsgren and his family to believe that their home was the target of a possible hate crime, especially since no other homes were vandalized in the area that night.
Brigham City Police Lt. James Crapse said detectives don't yet have many leads, which makes it tough for them to know the motive behind the crime.
"It could be a hate crime, it could not," Crapse said. "We're trying to track down a suspect, and then go from there to try to figure out intent."
Meantime, Forsgren said he won't let the vandals bring him down.
"I've dealt with hate before," he said. "It's not something I deal with on a regular basis. I just kind of know how to get over other peoples' problems."
Forsgren instead hopes to use his anger to do something positive.
"It's pushed me forward to do something better with it," he explained. "This pushed me into realizing we need an LGBT center in the community, and I would really like to be able to help start one."
Forsgren admits he's not sure what to do next, but he's so far organized a Facebook group to garner support. He also plans to keep his torn up flag.
"I'll eventually sew it, just to use it as a symbol that I can get past this," he said.
Crapse said detectives do not have many leads in the case. Anyone who might have information, can send them a message via their Facebook page, or call (435) 734-6650.
