Suspect arrested in string of St. Louis area church arsons

[lostinblue 1,989]

Suspect arrested in string of St. Louis area church arsons

ST. LOUIS • Police have made an arrest in connection with a two-week string of church arsons, most of which occurred at places of worship in black neighborhoods.

Investigators are expected to seek criminal charges against him today, and a press conference has been scheduled for 3 p.m. at police headquarters.

The police department announced on its Twitter page that the suspect is a 35-year-old black man who was arrested Tuesday.

The string of fires, many of which did minimal damage, drew attention of local and federal investigators. The locations drew speculation of whether it was a hate crime.

The Rev. Robert Gettinger, of St. Augustine Catholic Church, 1371 Hamilton Avenue, said news of an arrest is a relief.

"We pray for the person who has done this. It seems to be mentally off balance behavior," Gettinger said.

The Rev. Roderick K. Burton, of New Northside Missionary Baptist Church in Jennings, said the congregation was waiting to repair its doors until a suspect was in custody. Church members did not want the community to forget that an arsonist was on the loose, he said.

On a message board on the front lawn of the church, scripture often is quoted. Burton decided the message on the board should be "church fires must stop" after New Northside was struck Oct. 10.

"I'm looking forward to changing the sign to 'church fires have stopped,'" Burton said. He said he was always confident the culprit would be caught.

"I feel like it's an answer to prayer. The whole metropolitan area can breathe a sigh of relief. We're very thankful that the fires didn't hurt anyone physically. Everyone will be very interested in finding out the motivation."

Gettinger, at St. Augustine, said the church remains grateful that damage was isolated to the front doors, common in all the fires. St. Augustine has not yet received bids, but damage is easily in the thousands of dollars, he said.

"These are substantially big doors, about 15 feet high, at least three inches thick. Original to the church, which is about 100 years old," Gettinger said.

St. Augustine was damaged Oct. 14, the third church targeted by arson. The other fires occurred:

Oct. 8 • Bethel Nondenominational Church, 6380 Lillian Avenue in Jennings, near the St. Louis city limit.

Oct. 15 • New Testament Church of Christ, 5740 Minerva Avenue in St. Louis, less than four blocks from St. Augustine.

Oct. 17 • New Life Missionary Baptist Church, 4569 Plover Avenue in St. Louis.

Oct. 18 • Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1011 Theobald Street in St. Louis

Oct. 22 • Shrine of St. Joseph, 1220 North 11th Street

The final fire, at the historic shrine downtown, appeared to break the arsonist's geographical pattern.

The variety of denominations and types of structures targeted included Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist and nondenominational congregations — four on the north side of St. Louis and two in Jennings. They ranged from the relatively grandiose historic brick structures of St. Augustine Catholic Church and Ebenezer Lutheran Church to the modest storefront used by the New Testament Church of Christ.

The first six churches were within about five miles of each other, and sustained varying levels of damage from fires set at their front doors from Oct. 8 to 18. Mainly, the damage was contained. Police presumed they were the work of the same person or people.

The fires were small blazes set against the exterior doors, but in some cases spread.

Various organizations including the St. Louis Police Officers' Association, the state fire marshal’s office, the St. Louis Regional CrimeStoppers and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives contributed to a reward fund that topped $9,000 for information leading to an arrest.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_98672cca-39ad-54d9-9ab5-67905b4ff4ad.html#.VjOXKdehY3I.twitter

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Glad they caught that dude.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Glad they caught that black dude.

^

I got your back Marv!

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I got your back Marv!

You're learned well Padawan...

[lostinblue 1,989]

Black Churches Are Burning in St. Louis: Are Domestic Terrorists Attempting to Strike at the Heart of the Black Community ?

According to the Anti-Defamation League of St. Louis, while no racial motive has been established, “the fear and intimidation in the African-American community is substantial and must be validated.” In July, as Reuters noted, the organization raised similar concerns following a series of church burnings in the South after the massacre at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, when a white supremacist opened fire and killed nine Black congregants during a Bible study group. Emanuel is an historic Black church with important significance to the African-American community, as it has stood as a symbol of Black struggle against oppression, and was part of the first independent Black denomination in the United States. Following its involvement in Denmark Vesey’s slave rebellion, the church was burned down by angry whites.

http://atlantablackstar.com/2015/10/21/black-churches-burning-st-louis-domestic-terrorists-attempting-strike-heart-black-community/

They are almost saying tea party folks were to blame .. The "domestic terrorist " the Kenyan keeps talking about

[eieio 1,594]

The news media excitement has now dissipated.

Time to seek out a hot racial story elsewhere.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

The news media excitement has now dissipated.

Time to seek out a hot racial story elsewhere.

Perhaps a good story on the injustice of the world picnic

[Expat1 971]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/theoval/2015/06/17/obama-loretta-lynch-congressional-picnic-world-cup/28851557/

President Obama spends Wednesday paying tribute to his new attorney general and welcoming lawmakers to the White House for an annual tradition: The congressional picnic. In the late morning, Obama speaks at an investiture for Attorney General Loretta Lynch.....

What's a picnic without a Lynch?

"It's an opportunity for members of Congress to bring their families to enjoy a nice evening on the South Lawn of the White House," said Obama spokesman Josh Earnest. "I don't anticipate a lot of arm-twisting taking place."

Sure Obama, but it's a "picnic"!

Edited October 31, 2015 by Expat1

[lostinblue 1,989]

Liberals have repeatedly blamed church fires on Evil White Men. This person was apparently trying to provide examples where none existed.......

[eieio 1,594]

Sure Obama, but it's a "picnic"!

He never got the memo?

[decocker 7,198]

Liberals have repeatedly blamed church fires on Evil White Men. This person was apparently trying to provide examples where none existed.......

specifics are greatly appreciated.

[X Factor 1,112]

Dude must be an atheist or was molested by a clergyman as a child