STATESVILLE, N.C. — Federal and local authorities are investigating a possible hate crime after a doll was found hanging by a rope above an election sign for a Statesville City Council representative.

The Statesville Police Department responded to a report of suspicious activity Monday evening at the intersection of Wilson Lee Boulevard and Fayetteville Avenue, according to a police statement. Officers arrived at 5:38 p.m. after receiving the report.

A property owner adjacent to the intersection discovered the doll suspended from a street sign with a rope around its neck. The doll was positioned directly above an election sign for Doris Allison , the Ward 3 City Council representative.

The property owner told police they believed the doll was intentionally placed to target Allison and c

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