Homeowner believes American flag set on fire because of support for police

MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. — There is very little left of the flag that once hung next to Mitch Ewing's Mount Holly home.

A few charred pieces of red and white stripes still cling to the post.

"My wife is terrified,” Ewing told Channel 9 reporter Ken Lemon.

He said whoever burned the flag did it Monday night while he and his wife slept. He believes the person did it because of his support of police.

"A post on Facebook asked people to put blue lights outside to support law enforcement,” Ewing said.

Ewing put blue bulbs on the side and front porch of his home. The lights are the only difference between his home and his neighbors.

They also fly flags. None of the neighbor's flags were touched.

"I had expensive tools in my truck, but it wasn't touched,” Ewing said.

Another decorative flag is inches from the charred flag remains. It wasn't singed in the slightest.

Ewing said he put the lights in because his nephew is a police officer.

He said the nephew urged him to remove the lights, but he refused and said, "I won't be bullied.”

He plans on replacing the burned flag soon.

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