FBI and ATF agents have a $20,000 award set for information leading to the arrest and capture of anyone responsible for the fire that destroyed construction equipment at a mosque construction site in Tennessee.
The FBI won’t decide whether the fire is a hate crime until an arrest has been made and suspects are identified. But the case is under federal jurisdiction because mosques around the nation have been under attack.
The fire began near Murfreesboro after midnight on Aug. 28. Fire inspectors say an accelerant, perhaps diesel fuel, started the fire. Laboratory tests prove an arsonist poured fuel over equipment and a dump truck at the construction site.
The site had been attacked twice before and someone spray painted “Not Welcome” there. There were also reports of gunshots. There is a dispute lingering about whether the shots were from dove hunters or from malicious sources.
The mosque was approved for construction in May. Tennessee’s local and statewide opposition to the mosque have made international news.
Leaders of the mosque have faith in the judicial system. Essam Fathy, a mosque leader, believes the perpetrator may not be from the area and the flap over plans for a mosque 2 blocks away from Ground Zero has drawn attention to the mosque in rural Tennessee.
Sympathy cards and donations have been sent to members of the mosque from around the country.
The ATF requests that anyone with information about who started the fire call: 1-888-ATF-FIRE. There is a $20,000 reward for that person’s arrest.
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