Suspect Arrested for Arson at Mississippi Synagogue with Anti-Semitic Motive
A 160-year-old historic synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi was targeted by a suspect who admitted to setting fire to the building due to its "Jewish ties". Stephen Spencer Pittman, 28, was charged on Monday with maliciously damaging or destroying a building by means of fire or an explosive. According to investigators, Pittman had been planning the attack for some time and even texted his father about it, saying he was going to "do my research" before carrying out the act.
The fire occurred on Saturday morning, shortly after 3am, when security cameras captured a masked and hooded person pouring liquid onto the floor and a couch in the lobby. The suspect allegedly used an ax to break a window, poured gas inside, and started the fire using a torch lighter. The FBI recovered a burned cellphone believed to be Pittman's, as well as a hand torch that was found by a congregant.
Local and national officials, including religious figures and activists, have condemned the attack, describing it as an assault on houses of worship and a threat to interfaith solidarity. The synagogue has been a target before, having survived a Ku Klux Klan bombing in 1967 in response to its civil rights activities.
The fire has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, with many calling for swift action against hate and bigotry. "That history reminds us that attacks on houses of worship strike at the heart of our shared moral life," said CJ Rhodes, a prominent Black Baptist pastor in Jackson.
The Beth Israel Congregation, which was damaged in the fire, plans to continue its regular worship programs and services despite the setback. The synagogue's president, Zach Shemper, described the incident as "an act of antisemitism" and vowed that the congregation would rebuild with the support of its community.
A 160-year-old historic synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi was targeted by a suspect who admitted to setting fire to the building due to its "Jewish ties". Stephen Spencer Pittman, 28, was charged on Monday with maliciously damaging or destroying a building by means of fire or an explosive. According to investigators, Pittman had been planning the attack for some time and even texted his father about it, saying he was going to "do my research" before carrying out the act.
The fire occurred on Saturday morning, shortly after 3am, when security cameras captured a masked and hooded person pouring liquid onto the floor and a couch in the lobby. The suspect allegedly used an ax to break a window, poured gas inside, and started the fire using a torch lighter. The FBI recovered a burned cellphone believed to be Pittman's, as well as a hand torch that was found by a congregant.
Local and national officials, including religious figures and activists, have condemned the attack, describing it as an assault on houses of worship and a threat to interfaith solidarity. The synagogue has been a target before, having survived a Ku Klux Klan bombing in 1967 in response to its civil rights activities.
The fire has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, with many calling for swift action against hate and bigotry. "That history reminds us that attacks on houses of worship strike at the heart of our shared moral life," said CJ Rhodes, a prominent Black Baptist pastor in Jackson.
The Beth Israel Congregation, which was damaged in the fire, plans to continue its regular worship programs and services despite the setback. The synagogue's president, Zach Shemper, described the incident as "an act of antisemitism" and vowed that the congregation would rebuild with the support of its community.
This latest attack on a Mississippi synagogue is a devastating reminder of the ongoing struggle against hate crimes in our society. The deliberate targeting of a 160-year-old historic building, riddled with Jewish ties, underscores the insidious nature of anti-Semitism and its capacity to incite violence. 
... it's so sad that people still think they can just do whatever they want without consequences, like he texted his dad about planning the attack lol what kind of sick behavior is that? 
and now there are all these ppl condemning the attack but like shouldn't we be doing more than just saying sorry? shouldn't we be holding people accountable for their actions? i know it's not just about one person, but the fact remains that this kind of hate crime can happen anywhere and it's up to us to speak out against it 
and we deserve respect no matter our background or faith. the fact that he was planning this for months just shows how sick he is in the head. i'm glad the community came together to support each other and rebuild, but at the same time, we gotta keep talking about these issues and finding ways to prevent this kind of hate from spreading 
gotta say this is like totally insane whats going on in the world rn ppl gettin all worked up over nothin but then somethin real like this happens & every1s gotta step up & condemn it 
cant believe some dude went to such extremz, a synagogue's not just a place of worship its a community too & they got a right 2 feel safe 
hate crimes r gettin outta control & its time 4 us 2 take a stand 
. It feels like we're back to those dark times when hate was rampant in America. The 1967 bombing at that synagogue is like, so recent it's crazy how much progress has been made since then... or not? It's like, we've made some strides, but we still have a long way to go. And now this 
It's just so frustrating.