Federal authorities say 19-year-old Stephen Spencer Pittman was arrested Jan. 10 on suspicion of deliberately setting a fire at Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, a synagogue founded in 1860. CCTV reportedly shows a hooded person pouring a flammable liquid inside the building, and investigators say Pittman allegedly told relatives and agents he targeted the site for its Jewish ties. He suffered non-life-threatening burns, was treated at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and now faces federal charges that carry roughly five to 20 years if convicted. Officials have described the incident as an anti-Semitic, targeted attack and pledged strong prosecution.
19-Year-Old Arrested After Alleged Arson Severely Damages Historic Jackson Synagogue
Jackson Fire DepartmentBeth Israel Congregation
A 19-year-old college student has been arrested on suspicion of setting a fire that heavily damaged Beth Israel Congregation and the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life in Jackson, Mississippi, authorities said.
DOJFootage of person setting fire to a religious building in Mississippi
Federal officials identified the suspect as Stephen Spencer Pittman, of Madison. Pittman was taken into custody the evening of Saturday, Jan. 10, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a Jan. 12 press release.
AP Photo/Rogelio V. SolisBeth Israel Congregation synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi
According to investigators, surveillance footage shows a hooded individual inside the synagogue pouring liquid from a container that appeared to be gasoline. Fire investigators later determined the blaze was intentionally set. Officials say a large portion of the facility sustained fire, smoke and water damage and is unusable for the foreseeable future.
DOJArson of Beth Israel and the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life
Beth Israel Congregation traces its roots to 1860 and has occupied its current Jackson site since 1967. Records indicate that the same location was previously bombed by the Ku Klux Klan on Sept. 18, 1967.
Courtesy of Beth Israel CongregationBeth Israel Congregation
Citing an FBI affidavit, local media reported that the suspect allegedly laughed about the attack and told his father, "he finally got them," referring to the congregation as the "synagogue of Satan." Investigators say Pittman told them he targeted the site because of its Jewish ties.
Officials said Pittman sustained non-life-threatening burn injuries during the incident. He reportedly drove himself to the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he was treated before being taken into custody by law enforcement.
A Justice Department press release quoted federal officials condemning the blaze as a targeted anti-Semitic act and pledging vigorous prosecution. The release included statements calling the attack "disgusting" and vowing accountability; U.S. Attorney J.E. Baxter Kruger said his office will pursue the most serious charges supported by the evidence.
“Mississippians may rest assured that my office will not stand idly by when violence and intimidation threaten our community,” U.S. Attorney J.E. Baxter Kruger said in the DOJ release.
The 19-year-old had completed three semesters of college before the incident. He appeared in court the following Monday and was appointed a public defender, CNN reported. If convicted on the federal charges related to the arson, he faces a statutory range of roughly five to 20 years in prison.
Beth Israel posted a link on Facebook for those who wish to contribute to recovery and rebuilding; the congregation thanked the community for its support. Federal and local agencies continue to investigate the case and are coordinating with the synagogue on recovery efforts.
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