Suspected arsonist targeted Mississippi synagogue for its Jewish ties', FBI says

"Security camera footage released on Monday by the synagogue showed a masked and hooded person using a gas can to pour a liquid on the floor and a couch in the building's lobby. Pittman's father later allegedly became suspicious of burn marks on his son's ankles, hands and face. He reportedly contacted the FBI and said that his son had confessed to setting the building on fire."

"Pittman had texted his father a photo of the rear of the synagogue before the fire, with the message, There's a furnace in the back. His father had pleaded with his son to return home, but Pittman replied back by saying he was due for a homerun and I did my research,' the affidavit said.During an interview with investigators, Pittman said he stopped at a gas station on his way to the synagogue to purchase the gas used in the fire."

"He used an ax to break out a window of the synagogue, poured gas inside and used a torch lighter to start the fire, the FBI affidavit said.The FBI later recovered a burned cell phone believed to be Pittman's and took possession of a hand torch that a congregant had found. Local and national officials, religious figures and activists condemned the fire at the 160-year-old synagogue, the largest in Mississippi and the only one in Jackson, the state's capital."

Stephen Spencer Pittman was charged with maliciously damaging or destroying a building by fire after admitting to targeting Beth Israel Congregation because of its Jewish ties. Security footage showed a masked person pouring a liquid from a gas can in the synagogue lobby. Pittman's father reported burn marks and said his son confessed, after receiving a photo and texts from Pittman referencing the synagogue and saying "I did my research." Investigators say Pittman bought gas, removed his license plate, used an ax to break a window, and ignited the blaze with a torch lighter. No injuries were reported. The 160-year-old synagogue had previously been bombed by the Ku Klux Klan in 1967.

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