Advertisement Arson damaged Greenville church, fire chief says Authorities offer $11,000 reward Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The mayor of Greenville is describing a fire at a black church that was also spray-painted with a "Vote Trump" message as a "hateful and cowardly act." Wednesday evening a fire chief said the church was set on fire deliberately, and there is a $11,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of whoever set the blaze. The fire at Hopewell M.B. Church was reported about 9 p.m. Monday. City officials said the church was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. The FBI and Mississippi Bureau of Investigation are assisting in the case. Mayor Errick Smith said he considers the incident to be a hate crime because of the political message that he said was intended to interfere with worship and intimidate voters. "The political message of the vandalism is obviously an attempt to sway public opinion regarding the upcoming election," U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, of Bolton, said. "I encourage all citizens not to be deterred by this cowardly act and exercise your right to vote at the ballot box." FBI spokesman Brett Carr said the agency has begun a civil rights investigation of the fire, but when asked whether it’s being investigated as a hate crime, Carr wrote in an email that it’s too early to determine what type of crime it could be. Neither Simmons nor Fire Chief Ruben Brown has labeled the fire a case of arson, although Brown has said arson investigators are at the scene. Brown said the fire caused heavy damage to the sanctuary and water and heat damage to the kitchen and pastor’s study. "Anyone who burns a place of worship will answer to almighty God for this crime against people of faith. But they should also answer to man’s law," Gov. Phil Bryant said on Facebook. "Authorities are investigating and we expect a suspect will be identified and brought to justice." Simmons said investigators will not rest until those responsible are prosecuted to the full extent of the law. "This act is a direct assault of peoples’ right to freely worship," Simmons said. The pastor for Hopewell Baptist church has doubts as to whether the vandalism and fire were a hate crime. Pastor Caroline Hudson said the 111-year-old church congregation will rebuild on the same site.