In a shocking turn of events, a 16-year-old protester has been arrested for allegedly vandalizing a World War I memorial during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Central Park. The teen, whose own father reported him to the police, was taken into custody on Thursday night following the protest that occurred earlier in the week.

According to the New York Post, during the demonstration on Monday, the words "Gaza" and "Free Palestine" were scrawled onto the base of the 107th Infantry Memorial in Central Park. The act of vandalism caught the attention of authorities, leading to the arrest of the teenager.

The young protester now faces serious charges, including a felony charge of criminal mischief in the third degree and a misdemeanor charge of making graffiti. The New York Police Department (NYPD) Deputy Commissioner, Kaz Daughtry, expressed his strong condemnation of the vandalism, posting on X a picture of the handcuffed teen with his face blurred out.

Daughtry emphasized that this act of vandalism should not be dismissed as mere "juvenile hijinks." Instead, he stated that it is an act of desecration that undermines the very freedoms that the heroes fought and died for during World War I.

"The despicable vandalism we saw earlier this week on the WWI Memorial will not be ignored, and will not go unpunished," Deputy Commissioner Daughtry strongly asserted.

The vandalism of a memorial dedicated to the sacrifices made by soldiers during World War I has ignited outrage and condemnation from both the public and officials. Efforts will now be made to restore the memorial to its original state and ensure that appropriate consequences are imposed on the accused teenager.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting and preserving the symbols and monuments that commemorate the sacrifices of those who fought to protect our freedoms. As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus will be on delivering justice and sending a clear message that such acts of vandalism will not be tolerated.