Rainbow pride flag burned in North Winton neighborhood

Ventura now is left trying to figure out what happened. He tells us he came home Tuesday evening and the flag was fine. But, after leaving for dinner, he came back to find the rainbow flag had been torched.

Ventura says he reported the crime to police. Rochester police are now investigating the arson.

"I have had that flag out strictly to promote love, equality and acceptance," says Ventura.

Greg Ventura says he flew the gay pride flag on his home to celebrate finally being openly gay.

Amanda Ciavarri: "What message do you think whomever did this was sending?"

Ventura: "It was definitely hate-filled. When I first discovered the flag, it just upset me. When RPD arrived, they begin using the words "hate crime;" that made me open my eyes and realize this was a targeted attack, and there was a lot of hatred behind it. They were trying to send me a message and that put a lot more fear into me."

Ventura says while this happened on Election Night, he doesn't know if this was a political statement. But says it is clear the country needs to come together to stop this kind of hate.

"Disappointed in my community -- it is surprising that someone in my community, that had to be within this neighborhood, would be so opposed to who I am as a person that they would be willing to enter my property, and burn my personal property," he says.