KKK-Style Figure Seen Walking Through Rhode Island Town

WEST WARWICK, RI (WBSM) — Someone dressed head-to-toe in what appears to be a Ku Klux Klan outfit has been seen around the West Warwick area, and one business owner wonders if her shop might be the target.

KKK-Style Figure Seen on Camera in West Warwick

Leslie Letourneau, owner of Candy’s Curiosities & Vintage, shared video on the shop’s Facebook page from the security cameras that captured the image of someone walking by the front of the shop wearing what appears to be a white robe and hood usually associated with members of the KKK.

“I have extremely obvious cameras that I installed outside,” she said. “So they knew that they would be seen.”

West Warwick Business Owner Speaks Out After Disturbing Sighting

Letourneau told WBSM she was informed he had been seen all over West Warwick, and some commenters in a town Facebook group are wondering if it is some kind of hoax or a prank. Either way, Letourneau doesn’t think it’s funny.

“It’s not funny. It’s disturbing,” she said. “I do not support this behavior at all.”

Could Candy's Curiosities & Vintage Be the Target of a Hate Crime?

Letourneau said that people had messaged her suggesting that her shop was being targeted because she promotes inclusivity and equality for everyone.

“I mean, I wouldn’t doubt it. I make no secret that I support equality. Most of my customers are gay or trans. I got negative reviews at one point for supporting Trans Story Hour,” she said. “My shop is literally a safe haven for anyone that's different.”

Another person posted a video in the West Warwick town Facebook group that they said was sent to them that shows the person walking around the downtown area dressed in the KKK garb. He is much more visible in that video, but we could not locate the original person who shot it to gain permission to publish it here.

Letourneau said she reported the incident to police immediately, and they told her it was already under investigation. WBSM has reached out to the West Warwick Police Department for more information but had not yet heard back as of publication.

“I asked that they step up patrols as it’s a bit unnerving,” Letourneau said. “But they are literally around the corner, so (the person wasn’t) hiding from the police, either.”

We will update this story if more information becomes available.