If true, and if it could be publicized, such a fact would help offset negative public reaction to this unfortunate incident.
While I think defacing private property shouldn't be done, if your claim is true, I don't believe this case is as offensive as to warrant the spin in the article.
Can you post a published link or citation? It would help!
PS: If you are correct, it kind of sounds like the kind of thing Ann Coulter writes about in her current book.