A homeless man caused chaos in multiple Buddhist and Taoist temples across Lower Manhattan on Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. Taihong Ouyang, 49, has been charged with hate crime criminal mischief and burglary for his rampage that included damaging religious items with a fire extinguisher at the Sung Tak Buddhist Association on Pike Street.
Ouyang also targeted the Guanyinsi – World Buddhist Center on Henry Street, where he damaged security cameras, and the Pu Chao Buddhist Temple on Eldridge Street. His destructive spree came to an end at the Huang Da Xian Taoist Temple on the Bowery, where he caused extensive damage to various items inside.
Law enforcement was alerted to the vandalism after a 911 call, leading to Ouyang’s swift arrest. It is reported that he also vandalized two other locations in the area, one on Canal Street and the other on East Broadway, where front doors were damaged. The nature of these buildings is unclear at this time.
The motive behind Ouyang’s actions remains unknown, as well as the exact timeline of events. His arraignment is pending in Manhattan Criminal Court, and he faces a slew of charges for his destructive behavior. It is essential for communities to come together to support these places of worship and ensure they remain safe sanctuaries for all.
