WASHINGTON — Investigators want to speak with two potential witnesses who were nearby when the Confederate statue on the Loudoun County Courthouse grounds was vandalized earlier this month.

“We’re trying to determine who these individuals might be, and whether or not they may have any information concerning the vandalism of the statue,” Loudoun County Sherriff Michael Chapman told WTOP.

Last week, the sheriff’s department put out surveillance video of two men investigators called suspects and who were seen near the statue at the time.

“These appear to be different individuals,” said Chapman of the two witnesses, seen in images released by the sheriff’s office.

The statue was spray-painted with graffiti that included obscene language after midnight on Aug. 17. The graffiti was removed and caused no permanent damage to the monument.

“What we’re trying to determine whether these individuals may have seen anything, or may be in a position to help us with our investigation.

Detectives ask the two men or anyone who knows them to contact the sheriff’s office at 703-777-0475.