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ELBERTON, Ga. \u2014 Part of a mysterious Georgia monument was destroyed by an explosive device overnight, prompting an active police investigation in Elberton, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.<\/p>\n
The Georgia Guidestones have since been taken down due to safety concerns, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
VIDEO: WATCH moment Georgia Guidestones explode and video of speeding car<\/p>\n
The Georgia Guidestones were a 19-foot-tall granite monument that served as both a tourist attraction and conspiracy theory fodder since it was erected by anonymous patrons in 1980.<\/p>\n
The memorial stones are inscribed with what some interpret as guidelines for future generations and what others see as something more sinister. The monument receives around 20,000 visitors a year.<\/p>\n
NewsChopper 2 was on the monument on Wednesday, where one of the pillars was reduced to rubble. The news comes after months of escalating conspiracy theories surrounding the monument that have circulated on social media.<\/p>\n
[RELATED: What are the Georgia Guidestones? Here is what we know about the mysterious monument]<\/p>\n
Several Channel 2 Action News viewers reported hearing the sounds of an explosion around 4 a.m.<\/p>\n
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In a statement, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said officers found evidence of an explosion at the scene.<\/p>\n
“Preliminary information indicates that unknown persons detonated an explosive device at approximately 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6. Elbert County Sheriff’s Office personnel responded to discover that the explosion destroyed a large part of the structure.”<\/p>\n
The Georgia Department of Transportation closed roads in the area while local and state police investigated.<\/p>\n
Channel 2’s Richard Elliot was in Elbert County, where the monument is sometimes referred to as the “American Stonehenge.” Its four slabs and central pillar function as a compass, calendar and clock.<\/p>\n
The central pillar is cut in such a way that it allows a ray of sunlight to penetrate each day at noon and shine a ray on the central stone indicating the day of the year.<\/p>\n
But conspiracy theories arise from the monument’s inscriptions, which are engraved in eight modern languages \u200b\u200band appear to advocate population control, harmony with nature and internationalism.<\/p>\n
TRENDING STORIES:<\/p>\n
Over the past few months, the monument has become increasingly controversial on social media. Former GOP gubernatorial candidate Kandiss Taylor promised supporters that if elected, she would destroy the “satanic” monument by executive order.<\/p>\n
Taylor released a video statement Thursday night, saying she did not support criminal activity and would have taken the appropriate legal steps to remove the monument had she been elected.<\/p>\n
Taylor said he condemned the vandalism and that the person who committed the crime should be arrested.<\/p>\n
Elliott reached out to Taylor and his campaign website earlier Wednesday for comment, but he did not respond.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, investigators kept onlookers back as they swept the area for more explosives.<\/p>\n
Elliot spoke with Christopher Kubas, who is part of the Elberton Granite Association, which maintains the Georgia Guidestones. Kubas said the monument is nothing more than a tourist attraction.<\/p>\n
“It’s sad,” Kubas said. “Not just for Elberton and Elbert County, but I’m sad for the United States and the world. These were tourist attractions, and it wasn’t uncommon for people from all over the world to be up here at one time.”<\/p>\n
Kubas said he hopes security cameras installed years ago caught the attack.<\/p>\n
“If the cameras were working, then yes, it goes to the 911 dispatch center,” Kubas said.<\/p>\n
It is unclear whether investigators have identified any possible suspects in the blast or what possible charges they would face.<\/p>\n
Although the monument was privately funded, it is located on state-owned land.<\/p>\n
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