A person wearing full Ku Klux Klan robes walked through the center of West Warwick, Rhode Island at 2 a.m. Monday, captured on video by witnesses and security cameras, prompting a police investigation into the disturbing incident that has shaken the quiet community 13 miles south of Providence.
Witnesses Confront Shocking Scene
Ryan Fitzgerald and his brother recorded the hooded figure near the Main Street gazebo while driving through town in the early morning hours. The individual wore the distinctive white robes and pointed hood associated with the racist organization. Fitzgerald described the encounter as unmistakable. When the person looked directly at their vehicle, the brothers immediately drove away, uncertain whether the individual might be armed. Fitzgerald expressed shock that someone would display such overt racism in their community.
The incident occurred on a Monday morning around 2 a.m. as the robed figure walked alone down Main Street. Multiple witnesses and surveillance systems documented the person’s movements through the downtown area. The video footage quickly spread across social media platforms, generating widespread concern among residents who never expected to witness such a display in their neighborhood.
Business Owner Reports Incident
Leslie Letourneau, owner of Candy’s Curiosities & Vintage, discovered the costumed individual on her business surveillance cameras. She immediately contacted local authorities after reviewing the footage. Letourneau described feeling personally violated that someone would walk past her storefront in such attire. The business owner said watching the surveillance video made her physically ill, particularly knowing this occurred directly in front of her establishment on Main Street.
Investigation Underway
West Warwick police confirmed they are actively investigating the incident but declined to provide specific details about their progress or potential suspects. Town officials acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and the community concern it has generated. The department has not released information about whether they have identified the person or what charges might be pursued. The incident has prompted discussions about hate speech and public intimidation in the normally peaceful Rhode Island community, where residents say this level of racist display is unprecedented in recent memory.
