The poor benighted soul operates under the odd conviction that ole Christopher is still alive and inhabits his statue.
From the story here:
While he was defacing the statue, Miskell shouted obscenities, including "F--- Columbus," "F--- the USA," and "Die Columbus!"... Miskell was found with a can of red spray paint. He also was wearing rubber gloves, a ski mask, a bandana and black socks over his sneakers.