Alicia Stice, and Cassa Niedringhaus

Coloradoan

Update 1/18/18: Man convicted of Islamic Center vandalism dies by suicide

UPDATE: The suspect in the case has admitted to vandalizing the mosque.

Fort Collins Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the vandalism of the Islamic Center of Fort Collins over the weekend.

Joseph Scott Giaquinto, 35, was identified as the suspect and arrested Monday, according to Fort Collins Police Services.

He was arrested on suspicion of several charges, including a bias motivated crime, a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Islamic Center President Tawfik AboEllail found out about the arrest late Monday. He said the arrest was a "partial comfort," and that he was eager to learn more details about the crime and its motivations.

"There is a better sense of security, but we are not out of the woods yet," he said.

Fort Collins Police Services spokeswoman Kate Kimble said she did not have details on how police came to identify Giaquinto as the suspect. A booking photo was not available as of Monday evening.

Giaquinto is listed as living in an apartment complex on Lake Street near the Islamic Center. His father, Michael Giaquinto, lives nearby as well and has been a Fort Collins resident for about 16 years. Michael Giaquinto said he first learned about the vandalism at the Islamic Center when his sister and her partner attended the solidarity rally at the Islamic Center on Sunday.

Michael Giaquinto said Joseph Giaquinto was a combat medic in the Army for eight years, and he served tours in Baghdad, Iraq, and Korea. Michael Giaquinto said that his son is sometimes gloomy and moody. He said Joseph Giaquinto was raised in a Christian household, though he didn't think that his son committed the vandalism. He said his son moved to Fort Collins last year.

"No matter what we find out happened, my son is a good man," Michael Giaquinto said. "He served his country well. Even if he was involved, and I'm not saying he was, it would just indicate that he was in a kind of a bad place."

Surveillance footage from the Islamic Center showed a suspect attempting to break in to the building using a screwdriver and kicking the door.

The attack on the center left sections of its prayer room floor covered in shattered glass after the perpetrator threw large rocks through the center's glass doors. Investigators also found a Bible that appeared to have been thrown through the broken glass. Outdoor furniture was overturned, and one chair's legs had been wedged into the door handles of an exterior door.

The community came together on Sunday evening, with at least 1,000 people gathering at the center in support of the Muslim house of worship.

Giaquinto was arrested on suspicion of criminal mischief, a Class 6 felony, third-degree trespassing and a bias motivated crime. A Class 6 felony, if Giaquinto is convicted, carries a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and up to $100,000 in fines.

“We will not tolerate acts of hatred in our community, and I hope this arrest sends that message loud and clear,” Fort Collins Police Chief John Hutto said. “While the building can be repaired, this incident caused deeper hurt that won’t just go away. I urge all of our citizens to continue showing the kind of support and acceptance demonstrated at the Islamic Center rally on Sunday night.”

Per statute, a bias-motivated crime occurs when people knowingly cause bodily injury, use words or conduct, or destroy property with the intent to intimidate someone because of their actual or perceived race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.He was booked into the Larimer County Jail on Monday evening, where he remains in custody. Bond has not been set.

Court records show Giaquinto pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft Feb. 8, for which he was granted a deferred sentence.

This story will be updated throughout the night.