Arson at Mississippi Synagogue

Federal prosecutors report that Stephen Spencer Pittman, the man accused of setting fire to the oldest and largest synagogue in Mississippi, admitted to choosing the site due to its links to Judaism.

Pittman was arrested Saturday night after a fire was intentionally set at Congregation Beth Israel in Jackson, Michigan. After his arrest at a hospital, where he was receiving treatment for burns sustained during the blaze, he allegedly confessed to targeting the synagogue because of its “Jewish connections.”

According to an affidavit filed in federal court, Pittman’s father alerted the FBI, claiming his son had admitted to starting the fire. Data from a tracking app on Pittman’s phone supported this, revealing that he left his home in suburban Jackson, stopped to buy gasoline, and then proceeded straight to the synagogue.

The American Jewish Committee expressed outrage over the incident, emphasizing the substantial damage inflicted on Congregation Beth Israel, noting that while no one was hurt, several Torah scrolls were destroyed, and it is the only synagogue in Jackson.

Pittman allegedly sent messages and photos to his father from the synagogue prior to the arson. He indicated he was wearing a hoodie to avoid being identified and had removed the license plate from his vehicle. His texts included observations about certain features of the building, like a furnace and security cameras. His father urged him to come home during these exchanges.

Investigators believe Pittman broke a window, splashed gasoline inside, and used a lighter to ignite the fire. Security footage reportedly captured a hooded figure pouring liquid into the synagogue just before it was engulfed in flames.

This incident follows a previous attack on a synagogue in Manchester, England, where two people were killed outside the building, raising further concerns about the safety of Jewish places of worship. The suspect in that case, Jihad al-Shami, had been out on bail for previous charges, including rape.