A Mississippi synagogue that was previously targeted by the Ku Klux Klan was set on fire by a suspect who confessed to his father about his actions, as per the FBI. The suspect, identified as Stephen Pittman, admitted to intentionally causing damage to the Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, because it is a Jewish place of worship. Pittman, a 19-year-old, referred to the synagogue as “the synagogue of Satan.”
During a federal court hearing, Pittman, who appeared from a hospital bed via video call with both hands bandaged, stated that he had completed high school and three college semesters. He faces charges for maliciously damaging or destroying a building using fire or explosives, with a potential prison sentence of five to 20 years if convicted.
The suspect is set to appear in court for a preliminary and detention hearing on January 20. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized seeking severe penalties for Pittman. The Beth Israel Congregation expressed determination to continue Jewish life in Jackson despite the hateful act.
The fire, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, did not cause injuries to congregants or firefighters. Security footage from the synagogue displayed a masked individual pouring liquid from a gas can onto the floor and a couch in the lobby. The blaze significantly damaged the synagogue’s library and administrative areas, affecting five Torahs. Two Torahs were destroyed, while one that survived the Holocaust remained unharmed behind glass.
The suspect’s father alerted the FBI after Pittman confessed to setting the fire. Pittman had messaged his father a photo of the synagogue before the incident, indicating his intentions. During questioning, Pittman admitted to buying gas at a gas station, removing his license plate, and breaking a window at the synagogue using an axe.
The synagogue is now under police investigation, with yellow tape cordoning off the premises. Despite the damage, the congregation’s president, Zach Shemper, pledged to rebuild the synagogue, with support from various churches offering temporary worship spaces. The Beth Israel Congregation, established in 1860, faced past threats and attacks due to its support for civil rights, with a Holocaust memorial situated outdoors at the synagogue.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves condemned the arson attack, emphasizing that such acts will not be tolerated. The incident adds to a series of antisemitic events in the U.S., reflecting a concerning rise in antisemitic violence that requires swift condemnation and action from society, according to the Anti-Defamation League CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt.