Hours earlier than a harmful arson fire at the oldest synagogue in Mississippi, the 19-year-old suspect posted an antisemitic meme on Instagram, an account that seems to belong to him exhibits.
Stephen Spencer Pittman, recognized by the FBI because the individual answerable for an early-morning fire Saturday at Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, attacked the historic website – leaving its partitions severely charred and forcing it to shut indefinitely – “due to (the) building’s Jewish ties,” in line with an FBI legal grievance.
By night, the 19-year-old was arrested at a hospital and charged with “arson of property used in interstate commerce or used in an activity affecting interstate commerce” after his father referred to as the bureau, saying his son confessed to him, the grievance filed Monday stated. If convicted, Pittman may face between 5 and 20 years in jail, the Department of Justice stated in a news release.
On Tuesday, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens II introduced Pittman has additionally been indicted on a state cost of first-degree arson of a spot of worship with a hate crime enhancement, in line with a statement obtained by Mississippi Free Press. If convicted on the state cost, he faces as much as 60 years in jail.
NCS has reached out to Pittman’s household and lawyer for remark.
Here’s what we know about the teenager:
As a pupil, Pittman was a excessive achiever. He made honor roll in highschool at St. Joseph Catholic School in close by Madison greater than as soon as and his grades in faculty earned him a spot on a National Junior College Athletic Association All-Academic Team, which acknowledges student-athletes for his or her educational dedication.
“The actions attributed to the accused individual are senseless, reprehensible, and wholly incompatible with the values taught by the Catholic Church and upheld in our Catholic schools,” the highschool informed NCS on Tuesday of its former pupil, with out mentioning Pittman by identify. The college stated it stands in solidarity with Beth Israel Congregation and the Jewish neighborhood.
After highschool, Pittman attended and performed baseball at Coahoma Community College in northwest Mississippi, its president, Valmadge T. Towner, informed NCS.
“We condemn hate crimes and acts of violence in all forms,” Towner wrote in a press release.
A Facebook put up made by the school in January 2025 described the suspect as a freshman outfielder majoring in biology.
Surveillance footage from contained in the constructing exhibits the fire was began early Saturday by somebody in a hooded sweatshirt holding a gasoline container, the grievance says.
While on the constructing, Pittman texted his father a photograph of the again of Beth Israel Congregation with the next messages: “There’s a furnace in the back,” “Btw my plate is off,” “Hoodie is on,” and “And they have the best cameras,” in line with the grievance.
Over textual content, Pittman’s father pleaded for him to return residence however the teen replied he was due for a “homerun” and “I did my research.”
Later within the day, his father noticed burns on Pittman’s ankles, arms and face, the grievance says. Before speaking to authorities, Pittman informed his father by means of laughter that he broke a window of the Beth Israel Congregation constructing, went inside and lit it on fire, the legal grievance says, noting Pittman informed his father he “finally got them.”
Pittman acted alone, in line with the DOJ.
Several Torah scrolls have been destroyed within the fire, in line with the American Jewish Committee, which condemned the incident as a “hateful act.”
“I want to cry, I’m disgusted,” Zach Shemper, the congregation’s president, informed NCS Tuesday whereas strolling by means of the broken constructing. “I’ve never even experienced the feelings that I’m feeling right now.”
The FBI discovered a burned mobile phone on the synagogue it believes is Pittman’s, in addition to a hand torch. Data from Life360, an app that gives real-time GPS monitoring, exhibits Pittman traveled from his residence in Madison County and stopped at a fuel station in Ridgeland – simply north of Jackson – earlier than going to the synagogue, in line with the grievance.
Hours earlier than the incident, a put up on an Instagram account that seems to belong to Pittman exhibits a video clip of a caricature resembling the antisemitic meme “The Happy Merchant.” The meme depicts a Jewish man with “heavily stereotyped features” as grasping, in line with the Anti-Defamation League.
Pittman’s social media bios describe him as a “follower of Christ” and a “Fitness/ High Drive Coach” who can “help you get shredded, boost testosterone, drive, & discipline.”
On Instagram posts and an internet site registered to him, Pittman references Bible verses and guarantees to assist purchasers obtain a “faith-based transformation.”
Pittman was discovered at an area hospital with non-life-threatening burn injuries, stated Charles Felton, chief of investigations for the Jackson Fire Department’s Arson Investigation Division.
Monday, Pittman appeared in federal courtroom through video convention name from a hospital mattress together with his arms visibly bandaged, The Associated Press reported. When learn his rights on the listening to, Pittman stated, “Jesus Christ is Lord,” the outlet reported.
This story has been up to date with further data.