A 19-year-old man has been charged with a federal arson hate crime after confessing to setting fire to a historic synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi, that was previously targeted by the Ku Klux Klan. The suspect, Stephen Pittman, admitted to targeting the Beth Israel Congregation because it is a Jewish house of worship, according to an FBI affidavit filed in U.S. District Court.
Details of the Attack and Arrest
The fire erupted at the Beth Israel Congregation shortly after 3 a.m. on a Saturday, causing significant damage to the 165-year-old synagogue's library and administrative offices. Security camera footage released by the synagogue showed a masked and hooded individual using a gas can to pour liquid on the floor and a couch in the building's lobby.
Pittman's father contacted the FBI after his son confessed to the crime. The father had noticed burn marks on his son's ankles, hands, and face. According to the affidavit, 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."
During the investigation, Pittman stated he purchased gas on the way to the synagogue, removed his vehicle's license plate, used an ax to break a window, poured gas inside, and ignited it with a torch lighter. The FBI later recovered a burned cellphone and a hand torch.
Impact on the Jewish Community and History of Resilience
The fire destroyed two Torah scrolls located in the library, while five others in the sanctuary were assessed for smoke damage. Notably, one Torah that survived the Holocaust, displayed behind glass, was not damaged. The congregation, founded in 1860, has faced violence before; its current building was bombed by local KKK members after it relocated in 1967.
In a statement, the Beth Israel Congregation wrote, "This news puts a face and name to this tragedy, but does not change our resolve to proudly — even defiantly — continue Jewish life in Jackson in the face of hatred." Congregation president Zach Shemper has vowed to rebuild, and several local churches have offered their spaces for worship during the process.
The synagogue is not only a house of worship but also houses the Jewish Federation and the Institute of Southern Jewish Life, serving as a crucial hub for Jewish life in the Deep South.
Legal Proceedings and Potential Penalties
Stephen Pittman was charged with maliciously damaging or destroying a building by means of fire or an explosive. He appeared at his first hearing via video conference from a hospital bed, with both hands visibly bandaged. A public defender was appointed for him.
Prosecutors stated he could face five to 20 years in prison if convicted. During the hearing, when the judge read him his rights, Pittman said, "Jesus Christ is Lord." He is scheduled for a preliminary and detention hearing on January 20.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Mississippi stated that Attorney General Pam Bondi has instructed prosecutors to seek "severe penalties" in this case.
