Urban planner and activist Donald Shockey’s car was firebombed early Saturday morning, in front of his home just outside of the Design District. Mr. Shockey claims the blaze was in retaliation for some activism he’s been doing lately to improve his neighborhood. Shockey posted the following on Facebook:

My car was firebombed and destroyed in front of my house a block from the Design District at 4 am this morning, likely by the same person who smashed the windows last week. This is clear retaliation for my efforts to push the city to enforce the most basic rules and standards in our neighborhood. This violent heinous hate crime will not stand.

While billions are being invested in the Design District, the immediately adjacent neighborhoods need much more attention from the city in regard to crime, code enforcement, beautification, and city services.

[There are] falling down fences, peeling paint, junked cars parked in yard, piles of trash, paved over front yards, cars parked blocking the sidewalk, and on and on

There is a full scale arson investigation underway, it’s a major crime. The Herald is doing a story.