The National Parks Service has launched an investigation after a security officer found a noose outside of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden by the National Mall Friday night.

A Smithsonian police officer found the noose hanging from a tree while conducting security checks, according to a statement from the National Parks Service.

ADVERTISEMENT

Smithsonian employees were alerted about the incident via email, according to Politico.

Secretary of the Smithsonian David Skorton called the incident “deeply disturbing” in an email to Smithsonian staff.

"The Smithsonian is committed to be a welcoming, inclusive, and safe place for all. I know you join me in deploring this act," Skorton said.

The National Parks Service is investigating the incident.

The incident comes amid a string of racially charged incidents in the U.S. Two people were charged with hate crimes this week after allegedly hanging a noose at a middle school in Maryland. Another noose was discovered in the Port of Oakland in California.

Earlier this month, bananas were found hanging from nooses on American University’s campus the same day the first black woman in the university’s history took office as student government president. The FBI announced it was assisting the university to investigate the matter.