arson
-
Church Member Charged in ‘Vote Trump’ Vandalism, Burning of Black Church in Miss.
The suspect arrested and charged Wednesday in the burning of an African-American church in Mississippi is a member of the congregation. Andrew McClinton, a 45-year-old African American from Leland, Miss., was arrested and charged with first-degree arson of a place of worship, Warren Strain, spokesman for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, told the Associated…
-
NY Firefighter Sets His Home on Fire, Points Finger at Black Folks
Police have arrested an upstate-New York firefighter who they believe set fire to his own home and then pointed the finger at those who took issue with his “Blue Lives Matter” flag, which flew in front of it. The New York Daily News reports that Jason Stokes, 41, allegedly set fire to his Endicott, N.Y.,…
-
Ga. Brothers Plead Guilty to Parents' Brutal Attack, Get Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison
Two Georgia brothers pleaded guilty to a brutal attack on their parents late Monday afternoon, expressing remorse for their actions even as they were sentenced to 20 years in prison, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Christopher Ervin, the older brother, told the court and everyone in it that he had been in a bad place at…
-
Over $200,000 Raised to Repair Black Miss. Church Burned, Vandalized With 'Vote Trump'
A GoFundMe campaign set up to help repair the Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville, Miss., which was set on fire earlier this week and marked with “Vote Trump” written in graffiti, has raised $201,823 as of Friday morning, exceeding its original $10,000 goal. Some 5,755 people contributed money toward the cause. About 80 percent…
-
FBI Opens Civil Rights Investigation Into Arson, Vandalism at Black Miss. Church
The FBI has launched a civil rights investigation into the arson and vandalism of a black church in Greenville, Miss., where someone spray-painted “Vote Trump” on the side of the damaged building, the Associated Press reports. According to the report, approximately 80 percent of the Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church was destroyed in the blaze. Greenville Mayor…
-
Fire 'Intentionally Set' at Fla. Mosque Where Orlando Shooter Worshipped: Authorities
Investigators have ruled as arson a fire that started early Monday at the Florida mosque where Orlando, Fla., shooter Omar Mateen worshipped, the Sun Sentinel reports. “Evidence has revealed that this fire was set intentionally,” St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Maj. David Thompson told reporters. Authorities responded to a 911 call about the fire at the…
-
Fla. Teen Targeting Ex-Boyfriend’s Car Sets Wrong Vehicle on Fire: Report
A 19-year-old Florida woman was arrested after she allegedly set fire to a car that she believed belonged to her ex, WTSP reports. According to the report, Clearwater police took Carmen Chamblee into custody after she started the fire. Chamblee reportedly told detectives that she thought the vehicle belonged to her ex-boyfriend. She is facing charges of…
-
White Neighbor Arrested After Fire Erupts in Home of Only Black Firefighter in Tonawanda, NY
Matthew Jurado, 39, had recently been removed from the Gratwick Hose Volunteer Fire Co. when a suspicious fire broke out at the home of Kenneth Walker, the only black firefighter in Tonawanda, N.Y. Two days before the incident, Walker had received a racist and threatening letter in his mailbox, NBC News reports. According to the news station,…
-
Calif. Father, Accused of Setting House Fire That Killed 5-Year-Old Son, Surrenders to Police
A California father who is accused of purposely setting fire to his house—and ultimately killing his 5-year-old son as a result—turned himself in to authorities Wednesday, the Los Angeles Times reports. Darrylone Shuemake Sr. reportedly called the Richmond, Calif., Police Department on Wednesday morning, telling them his location and adding that he wanted to surrender, Vallejo,…
-
Police Searching for Calif. Father Accused of Purposely Setting House on Fire, Killing 5-Year-Old Son
Vallejo, Calif., police are asking the public for help with any details about a father who is suspected of purposely igniting a fire that killed his 5-year-old son and injured other family members over the weekend, the Los Angeles Times reports. Darrylone Shuemake Sr., 53, is “on the run” and wanted in connection with the…