Investigation Pays Off

Three fires set in historic black churches in ten days sparked a manhunt that finally paid off. Today, April 11, 2019, there is a suspect in custody. David Joseph, US Attorney for the western district of Louisiana, did confirm they had a suspect in custody but would not elaborate from there. State Rep. Clay Higgins, however, says the suspect is the son of a local sheriff’s deputy.



The fires he allegedly set destroyed three historic black churches, two occurring in Opelousas, and one in Port Pierre. The churches were each over 120 years old. All had served their community well. Many believe hatred fueled the young man’s actions.

Domestic Terrorism?

From ABCNews: “‘For decades, African-American churches have served as the epicenter of survival and a symbol of hope for many in the African-American community,’ NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said. ‘As a consequence, these houses of faith have historically been the targets of violence.’”



“‘What is happening in Tennessee and Louisiana is domestic terrorism and we must not turn a blind eye to any incident where people are targeted because of the color of their skin and their faith,’ Johnson said. ‘The spike in church burnings in the Southern states is a reflection of emboldened racial rhetoric and tension spreading across the country.’”



Strange Takes

The Daily Beast had this particularly confusing conundrum to report: “One of the pagan pages Matthews was active on specifically forbade racism and “nazi stuff.” Matthews also appeared aware of the religion’s white supremacist associations. In one post, a group member noted that a drawing of a pagan figure had a swastika-like design on his belt. ‘well yea the belt gives him extra strength and power…..white power lmao jk jk I had to,’ Matthews wrote.”



Apparently paganism is a White Supremacist religion, but they forbid “nazi stuff” and racism. One wonders how it comes to be that a White Supremacist would object to the use of “a swastika-like design”. It certainly isn’t in a White Supremacist’s nature to disagree with their own philosophy. But I digress. Authorities are not releasing a motive. There is little evidence to help understand why the young man burned down three historic black churches. Watch this article for updates as they become available.