CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A special police unit launched an investigation of racist graffiti discovered Saturday behind a shopping center in north Charlotte, police said Sunday.

Vandals spray-painted the outside walls behind Sunset Crossings shopping center on Sunset Road.

The graffiti contain racially charged markings including the words, "There is a klansman among you."

The crime was assigned to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police criminal intelligence unit, which normally works with federal agencies and does not handle routine crimes.

One neighbor who saw the graffiti said, "This is disgusting."

Another said the graffiti should be taken seriously because it can lead to other crimes.