Transcript for Jehovah’s Witnesses’ house of worship a target of arson
Now to the mystery over who could be targeting jehovah’s witnesses. A fire that destroyed a house of worship days ago is being called arson. An earlier series of attacks investigated as hate crimes. Reporter: Authorities are investigating nearly half a dozen incidents where the religious group has been targeted. The sheriff calling these attacks, as you said, hate crimes. This morning, Washington state investigators calling this shattering inferno at a jehovah’s witness kingdom hall a case of arson. More or less terrified of why are they being targeted? Reporter: The walls crumbling beneath the flames. As firefighters try in vain to salvage the building. Dan says he helped found the now incinerated house of worship in 1976. It’s devastating, for sure. But you know, it’s just a building. Everybody is safe. Reporter: This, the latest in a rash of fires and threats authorities say could be motivated by hate. It’s obviously someone or some persons that are definitely disgruntled with the jehovah witness of kingdom hall in Thurston county. Reporter: About a half a dozen attacks this year targeting kingdom halls in western Washington. This man seen buying fireplace logs in July considered a person of interest. Investigators say he could be the same hooded suspect in this surveillance video from March, apparently sparking this blaze in Thurston county. We’re actually looking to solve the previous crimes. We’re looking for people, citizens, to come forward. Reporter: The ATF and local law enforcement now on the hunt for answers. Why is this specific religion being targeted? Why are these churches being targeted? Reporter: No one has been hurt in any of these incidents. But the ATF and Thurston county officials investigating the fire. Officials now offering up to $36,000 in rewards for anyone with information that leads to an arrest. The community says they’re very thankful that these are just buildings being targeted. As of now. But it’s still terrifying and devastating.
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