21-year-old charged with hate crime after cross burning in Grant Park: police

Published
June 18, 2026
Outcome
Injured
Location
Chicago, Georgia
600 block of South Columbus Drive near Columbus Drive and Balbo Drive in Grant Park
Incident type
Fire, Shooting, Bicycle

Summary

Bicycle Crash Chicago Georgia in Chicago, Georgia: A 21-year-old man, Merlin Lu of Chicago, was charged with multiple felony counts including a hate crime after burning a cross in Grant Park. Chicago police officers responded to the 600 block of South Columbus Drive around 2:30 p.m. on June 15, where a large burning cross was found near the intersection of Columbus Drive and Balbo Drive. The Chicago Fire Department extinguished the blaze and no injuries were reported. Lu was arrested on June 15 and a person of interest was confirmed in custody on Tuesday.

Publicly reported parties

Name Role Status
Merlin Lu Unknown Unknown

Original reporting

21-year-old charged with hate crime after cross burning in Grant Park: police | FOX 32 Chicago

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