Hundreds protest Sunday in Springfield following the death of George Floyd. Springfield News-Leader

Carolyne Moss said she has been running on the South Creek Greenway trail since she moved to Springfield in 2016, and she's never had any problems.

But after going for a run Saturday morning, she returned to her SUV in the parking lot at McDaniel Park on National and Sunset to find that feces had been smeared on herwindshield and door handles and the air had been let out of one of her tires.

Moss, who is black, said she thinks the vandalism was racially motivated.

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"I'm pretty sure," Moss said. "With all that's going on."

There were other vehicles in the parking lot when Moss arrived at about 7:30 a.m., but hers was the only one vandalized. And she said she didn't have any altercations with anyone before or during her run.

Carolyne Moss said her SUV was vandalized on Saturday morning at McDaniel Park in Springfield.(Photo: Harrison Keegan/Springfield News-Leader)

"Somebody saw who was coming out of what car," Moss said.

Moss said she made a police report and the officers assured her they would check surveillance cameras in the area to see if they could identify a suspect.

Moss said she is a registered nurse and a member of the Missouri National Guard. She said she tries to live her life serving others.

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board and Ozark Greenways released a statement Saturday condemning the act of vandalism that took place at McDaniel Park.

Director of Parks Bob Belote said the incident was appalling and unacceptable.

"There is absolutely no place for hate or derision in our public parks or on our trails," said Belote. "Our parks and trails bring people together. They offer hope. And they should be places where all of us feel safe. An important part of that safety is our own park patrons and neighbors keeping an eye out for each other, like another helpful trail user did at McDaniel Park today. If you see a crime in a park or feel unsafe, please call 911."

Since moving to Springfield, Moss said she has been confronted a few times with comments that she felt were racially insensitive, but she had never experienced anything like Saturday morning's vandalism.

I never used to watch my back when I'm running or when I'm walking or when I'm doing something. But nowI'm going to have to keep watching my back.

"I am scared now," Moss said."I never used to watch my back when I'm running or when I'm walking or when I'm doing something. But nowI'm going to have to keep watching my back."

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Moss said she hopes police catch whoever vandalized her vehicle for her safety and the safety of others.

"I'm like 'What happens next time, are they going to throw it on my face?'" Moss asked.

Racism has been at the center of public consciousness over the last two weeks following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Floyd, a black man, died after a white police officer placed his knee in Floyd's neck for several minutes.

Video of the encounter went viral, sparking protests across the country including in Springfield.

A Black Lives Matter protested was scheduled for Saturday afternoon in downtown Springfield.

Jasmine Bailey, spokeswoman for the Springfield Police Department, said police had not received any other reports of similar behavior on Saturday.

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Springfield runner thinks vandalism to her SUV was racially motivated - News-Leader