Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

VIDEO: Molotov Cocktail Hurled at Second Staten Island Church, Police Say

By  Aidan Gardiner and Nicholas Rizzi | June 10, 2016 8:36am 

 The suspect scorched the exterior wall and awning of First Central Baptist Church, police said.
First Central Baptist Church Firebombing
View Full Caption

STATEN ISLAND — An arsonist burned the outside of a Baptist church with a Molotov cocktail Thursday morning in what NYPD officials are investigating as a possible hate crime, police said.

In the second Staten Island church firebombing in four days, a man who can be seen in surveillance footage released by police hurled the flaming bottle at First Central Baptist Church at 117 Wright St., near Van Duzer Street, about 2 a.m., NYPD officials said.

Flames damaged an exterior wall and an awning of the church, police said.

"We're truly blessed the damage was on the outside," said Edward Connor, who's been a member of the church since 1985 and helps with security.

"It wasn't that I was mad or angry [when I saw the damage]. I was more hurt. "

The man wore a dark hooded jacket and dark pants, police said.

There were no reported injuries, an NYPD spokesman said.

The NYPD's Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the arson, police said.

Another house of worship, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, was attacked with an Molotov cocktail Sunday in what police are also investigating as a hate crime. There were no immediate arrests in that incident.

Investigators are trying to determine if the two attacks are related, but they have yet to find any evidence that indicates they are, an NYPD spokesman said.

"I am horrified that a second church in Staten Island was firebombed," said the city's public advocate, Letitia James.

"It is disgusting that any individual or individuals would deem it acceptable to cause harm to any house of worship."

Other elected officials condemned the attack.

"These incidents are a stark reminder that even in our city, we are never immune from hate," Comptroller Scott Stringer said.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).