Fossil Ridge High School was a victim of vandalism this summer when the tree that once grew in the small patch of lawn outside the front doors of the school was cut down.

According to Officer Lowery, at least three individuals were seen on security camera footage cutting down the eight-foot-tall tree manually with a fine edged saw. No faces were picked up by the cameras because the crime was committed after dark. The only light was the flash of a camera, after the suspects took a photo of themselves with the tree..

The tree was found on the ground the next morning. A note was left on the stump, which said: “You can’t catch me I’m the gingerbread man.”

The suspects have not been caught and current knowledge does not suggest who or why the crime was committed, according to Lowery. A criminal report has been filed.