Wayland, N.Y. — Police are investigating a possible hate crime after a neighbor said a threatening letter containing a graphic image of the Ku Klux Klan, a notorious hate group, along with racial slurs was found in his mailbox.

Eric Williams, the man who says he received the note, spoke about the hurtful message.

"When I opened it, I saw the picture of the KKK with the fire burning, and above it said, 'All n****** must burn,'" Williams said.

Williams, a proud member of the community who ran to become mayor for the Town of Wayland last year, has lived there his entire life. Despite his love for the town, he said he's experienced racism throughout his life, especially in middle school.

The letter brought back a wave of painful memories for Williams, rekindling his desire to confront racism directly.

"I would walk up and down the hallways and kids would hang monkeys, they would do racial slurs on my locker," he explained.

Williams has reported experiencing several incidents that he believes are race-related, including bullet holes found in his trailer and a cross drawing above his door.

The latest incident has left him concerned for his children's safety.

"When I saw that, all I could do is cry and explain to my daughter — she asked me 'Daddy, why are you mad?' And I said, 'Daddy's not mad, I'm hurt, and I'm not always going to be here to protect you. I'm not always going to be around,'" said Williams.

Wayland police confirmed they received a complaint from Williams, and are currently interviewing neighbors and collecting any relevant video footage to identify the person responsible for the incidents.

While he hopes the perpetrator is caught, Williams also wants to change people's opinions on race.

"If you don't like black people, I don't care — come and talk to me. Let me show you a different point of view," he explained. "I'm a big man of faith, a big man of prayer, but the only thing I can do is pray for that person. But obviously, they are hurting in some type of way that they need love."

Williams said he gave the letter to police, who are checking it for fingerprints. Police said this remains an open investigation.

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