The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says it has identified four people who vandalized the spillway at Reelfoot Lake last week but is “withholding their names pending further investigation.”
The four were captured on a security camera entering the off-limits area through a hole cut in a chain-link fence. They opened the spillway gates and damaged a “control box” that regulates the discharge. They appear to be young men in their late teens or perhaps juveniles.
Their motive is unknown, although one of the intruders appears to be carrying a bow. Bow fishing at the spillway is popular, and is best when water is being discharged. But it seems doubtful the intruders would risk bow fishing after vandalizing the site, because it is patrolled by park officials…