NATCHEZ — The manager of the Natchez Mall said she is not amused by a Monday night prank that left a vulgar message on the mall theatre sign.

Mall Manager Marie Lofton said pranksters rearranged the letters on the theater sign to make a message containing racial slurs. Lofton said she heard speculation from people that the mall was responsible for the sign’s message, but she said the mall would never condone that kind of behavior.

“I’m sure it was just kids pulling a prank, which I don’t appreciate, but it was not the mall’s doing,” she said. “We’ve got too many good people that work here, and that type of language is uncalled for.”

Lofton said she wanted to apologize to the community for the message, which was removed Tuesday morning. Lofton said, unfortunately, pranks at the mall are not uncommon. She said someone dumped out shredded paper behind Office Depot and set it on fire a few months ago.

“Kids are kids, but I would hope their parents know where they are and they are doing so this kind of thing doesn’t happen,” Lofton said.

Natchez LT. Craig Godbold said it would be difficult to catch the mall vandals without security cameras, but he said anyone arrested for the prank would more than likely be charged with malicious mischief and possibly trespassing.