A statue of Breonna Taylor, who was killed by police in her home in Louisville in March, has been smashed and vandalised just two weeks after it was put up.

The bust of Taylor, which was erected in Oakland, California on 12 December to honour her memory, was reportedly smashed to pieces on Boxing Day. 

Oakland Police said late on Monday that it was investigating the vandalism, but had not yet identified any suspects or notice. The statue’s creator, sculptor Leo Carson, called the incident “an act of racist aggression”.

Carson set up a GoFundMe fundraiser to rebuild the statue, which currently has raised $14,081. 

He wrote: “After spending months creating this artwork it was incredible to see the community and neighbors taking photos and enjoying it. Now I am devastated and enraged to see it in pieces.”

Carson added that any funds raised over the cost of rebuilding will be donated to Breonna Taylor’s family. On instagram, Carson later wrote: “In an incredible show of solidarity the community has raised enough money to rebuild her in bronze. An effort that took less than 24 hours.”

Local journalist Matt Bigler also tweeted that a Californian law firm had offered to pay for the statue to be restored. 

Who would vandalize statue of Breonna Taylor? That’s what Oakland PD is asking after her newly installed bust was smashed on Saturday. Good news: Bay Area law firm has offered to fully fund statue’s restoration. #SayHerName pic.twitter.com/vdT2H1QlLh

— Matt Bigler (@mattbigler740) December 28, 2020

Taylor posthumously became an icon of the Black Lives Matter protests this summer. The statue’s plaque reads: “Say her name, Breonna Taylor”, a line which was chanted by thousands globally. 26-year-old Taylor was murdered during a police raid of her apartment in Louisville Kentucky in the early hours of 13 March.

Taylor’s boyfriend fired once at what he said he believed were intruders. Three police officers responded with 32 shots, six of which hit Taylor. 

No criminal charges were filed over Tayor’s death.