A Washington state woman has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses after allegedly vandalizing a memorial dedicated to fishermen and mistaking a mooring line for a noose. Cara Munoz, 34, was taken into custody by Bellingham Police on Monday afternoon.
Incident at Zuanich Point Park
According to authorities, Munoz was at Zuanich Point Park in Bellingham, Washington, where she recorded herself interacting with city workers who were removing graffiti from the "Safe Return" statue. The memorial honors local fishermen who have died at sea. In a video shared on her Instagram story, Munoz can be heard identifying the mooring line, a heavy-duty rope used by fishermen, as a noose and a symbol of white supremacy.
Munoz confronted workers at the scene, questioning their actions and the presence of what she claimed was a hate symbol. Police were called to the park, and upon their arrival, Munoz reportedly refused to exit her vehicle and subsequently spat at officers as they attempted to arrest her. She faces charges of resisting arrest, third-degree assault, and second-degree malicious mischief.
Arrest and Subsequent Claims
Munoz was released from Whatcom County Jail on Tuesday on personal recognizance. The Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney's Office will determine if formal charges will be filed. Following her release, Munoz posted claims on Instagram alleging excessive force during her arrest, including being restrained, having a bag placed over her head, and suffering bruises and lacerations from handcuffs. She also claimed her right to an attorney and to make a phone call was denied.
Background of the Statue and Suspect
The "Safe Return" statue features an eight-foot bronze fisherman casting a mooring line and has the names of local fishermen lost at sea carved into its base, with new names added as they are identified. The Port of Bellingham confirmed on Facebook that an arrest had been made in connection with the vandalism. Police have not identified the suspect in the initial graffiti incident.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Munoz is a registered nurse who graduated from the University of Washington in 2014. Her last listed employment was in July 2023 as a human resource generalist and executive assistant for an AI-companion application company. She married her wife, Daniella Sole, in August 2023.