A mural in Kentucky that depicts Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and other black people recently killed by law enforcement has been defaced, officials said.

The “Say Their Names” mural unveiled in Louisville last July was found on Monday morning with light blue paint covering areas of the artwork, news outlets reported.

Louisville Metro Police Department spokesman Dwight Mitchell told the Courier Journal that the agency was “collecting evidence and canvassing the neighbourhood for any witnesses”.

Braylyn Resko Stewart, an artist who helped create the mural, said he was in “disbelief” when the building’s owner sent him a photo of the damage. He said the mural would be restored.

It is unclear who vandalised the artwork, though the name of a hate group was painted on the mural.

The incident follows damage earlier this month to another mural of Breonna Taylor in the city. A 2,500 dollars reward has been offered for information in that case.

Ms Taylor, an emergency medical worker, was fatally shot by Louisville police in her apartment during a no-knock search warrant on March 13, 2020, after her boyfriend fired a shot at officers.