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Missouri investigators look into motive for series of fire set at black churches Missouri investigators look into motive for series of fire set at black churches
(about 20 hours later)
Investigators in Missouri are trying to determine the cause of mysterious fires this month at predominantly black churches in the St Louis area.Investigators in Missouri are trying to determine the cause of mysterious fires this month at predominantly black churches in the St Louis area.
Investigators have no suspects or motives. But the possibility of a hate crime – for religious or racial reasons – “is part of the dynamic” of the investigation, St Louis fire captain Garon Mosby said.Investigators have no suspects or motives. But the possibility of a hate crime – for religious or racial reasons – “is part of the dynamic” of the investigation, St Louis fire captain Garon Mosby said.
The fires began 8 October and have all happened within a few miles of each other in north St Louis city and county. Six churches have been damaged; five of the churches are predominantly black and one is racially mixed. In each case, the front doors were set on fire. Damage has ranged from virtually nothing at one church to the near destruction of another. The fires began on 8 October and have all happened within a few miles of each other in north St Louis city and county. Six churches have been damaged; five of the churches are predominantly black and one is racially mixed. In each case, the front doors were set on fire. Damage has ranged from virtually nothing at one church to the near destruction of another.
Church leaders said Monday that they are focused on healing, not speculating about blame. Church leaders said on Monday that they are focused on healing, not speculating about blame.
“This is a spiritually sick person,” said the Reverend David Triggs, whose New Life Missionary Baptist Church in St Louis was sent on fire on Saturday. “This is a sin issue. It’s not a race issue.” “This is a spiritually sick person,” said the Reverend David Triggs, whose New Life Missionary Baptist church in St Louis was sent on fire on Saturday. “This is a sin issue. It’s not a race issue.”
John Ham, a spokesman for the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said the agency is investigating, along with St Louis city and county arson squads. The ATF has jurisdiction over fires at all houses of worship, Ham said.John Ham, a spokesman for the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said the agency is investigating, along with St Louis city and county arson squads. The ATF has jurisdiction over fires at all houses of worship, Ham said.
The first of the fires was at Bethel Nondenominational church in Jennings, a small town in north St Louis County that shares a border with Ferguson.The first of the fires was at Bethel Nondenominational church in Jennings, a small town in north St Louis County that shares a border with Ferguson.
New Northside Missionary Baptist church, also in Jennings, was hit two days later, followed by four churches in St Louis: St Augustine Catholic church on Wednesday, New Testament Church of Christ on Thursday, New Life Missionary Baptist church at 4am Saturday, and a fire at Ebenezer Lutheran church that was discovered Sunday morning. New Northside Missionary Baptist church, also in Jennings, was hit two days later, followed by four churches in St Louis: St Augustine Catholic church on Wednesday, New Testament Church of Christ on Thursday, New Life Missionary Baptist church at 4am on Saturday, and a fire at Ebenezer Lutheran church that was discovered on Sunday morning.
A day after the New Life fire, about 40 congregants gathered for an outdoor service. The fire melted vinyl siding on the exterior and caused some damage to a small entry area, but the sanctuary itself had only smoke damage. Triggs said the church had no insurance.A day after the New Life fire, about 40 congregants gathered for an outdoor service. The fire melted vinyl siding on the exterior and caused some damage to a small entry area, but the sanctuary itself had only smoke damage. Triggs said the church had no insurance.
Michele Brown, business manager at St Augustine, said fire damage to the stately brick church was limited to the two front doors.Michele Brown, business manager at St Augustine, said fire damage to the stately brick church was limited to the two front doors.
“We are upset and we’re concerned that there’s an individual who, for whatever reason, is sick,” Brown said. “We prayed for them Sunday. There’s something wrong with someone who would do something like that.”“We are upset and we’re concerned that there’s an individual who, for whatever reason, is sick,” Brown said. “We prayed for them Sunday. There’s something wrong with someone who would do something like that.”
The blazes have happened in an area still reeling from the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown last year by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson and a grand jury subsequent decision not to charge Wilson. Brown was black and unarmed when he was shot by Wilson, who is white. The blazes have happened in an area still reeling from the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown last year by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson and a grand jury’s subsequent decision not to charge Wilson. Brown was black and unarmed when he was shot by Wilson, who is white.
The Reverend Rodrick Burton of New Northside sensed an “apathetic” response to the fires locally, though a few neighboring churches have offered to lend a hand. He said no one knows if the fires were racially motivated, but that it’s clear they’re an attack on religious freedom. The Rev Rodrick Burton of New Northside sensed an “apathetic” response to the fires locally, though a few neighboring churches have offered to lend a hand. He said no one knows if the fires were racially motivated, but that it’s clear they’re an attack on religious freedom.
“Whether you practice faith or you don’t, everyone should be very concerned about that,” Burton said. “Religious freedom is part of our identity as Americans.”“Whether you practice faith or you don’t, everyone should be very concerned about that,” Burton said. “Religious freedom is part of our identity as Americans.”