Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) and CrimeStoppers are offering a reward of $2,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the individual(s) responsible for a series of recent church fires. On behalf of the Task Force and the entire Fire Service community at large, we request that anyone who may have information regarding these fires call CrimeStoppers at 866-371 –TIPS (8477).

ATF and the St. Louis Fire Department (SLFD) are seeking cooperation from the residents of our community in an effort to obtain information regarding recent fires set at several churches (listed below). These fires began on October 8, 2015 at Bethel Non-Denominational Church in Jennings, Mo. We believe that this fire-setting activity is meant to send a message. We believe this activity may be the result of stress experienced in the subject’s life, which may be noticeable to those around him or her. If you have observed anyone who has recently expressed anger or frustration with our religious community or with these particular churches, we ask that you contact us. If you have noticed anyone or anything suspicious or unusual in the areas near the churches please contact us.

It is only a matter of time before someone is injured or harmed as a result of this fire-setting activity, and we ask that the community continue to maintain vigilance, take note of their environments, and assist us in identifying this offender.

Fire # 1:
10/8/15 at 1932
6380 Lillian in Jennings, MO
Bethel Non-Denominational Church
Origin of fire was at exterior door of the church. The church was not occupied at time of fire.

Fire #2:
10/10/15 at 0238
8645 Goodfellow in Jennings, MO
New North Side Baptist Church
Origin of fire was front doors of the church. The church was not occupied at time of fire.

Fire #3:
10/14/15 at 1638
5901 Minerva St. Augustine Catholic Church
Origin of fire was at front doors of church. The church was not occupied at time of fire.

Fire #4:
10/15/15 at 0126
5740 Minerva
New Testament Church of Christ
Origin of fire was exterior door of church. The church was not occupied at time of fire.

Fire #5:
10/17/15 at 0417
4569 Plover
New Life Missionary Baptist Church
Origin of fire was front exterior doors of church. The church was not occupied at time of fire.

Fire #6:
10/17/15 at 1730 to 10/18/15 at 0830
1011 Theobald
Ebenezer Lutheran Church
Origin of fire was front exterior doors of church. The church was not occupied at time of fire.

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