21-year-old Holden Matthews, son of a Louisiana Sheriff Deputy, has been arrested and accused of starting fires at 3 historically Black churches in various cities across Louisiana.
Cops have refused to release any information about Matthews, who is white, or a possible motive, but sources told the local television station that the fires appeared to have been intentionally set.
via New York Post.
St. Landry officials said they would be providing an update at a press conference on Thursday morning.
The NAACP believes the fires — which went down at St. Mary Baptist Church in Port Barre on March 26, Greater Union Baptist Church in Opelousas on April 2, and nearby Mount Pleasant Baptist Church on April 4 — were racially motivated and should be labeled “domestic terrorism.”
Church Locations
Each of the vandalized churches were located in predominantly Black neighborhoods, where the congregations play a significant role in the community. The recent attacks have left the parishioners on edge, and in fear of their safety.
These church burnings come on the heels of increased numbers of hate crimes, with no end in sight.
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