A 24-year-old man, John Jones, has been arrested in connection with an arson attack on the South Bushwick Reformed Church in New York City, which occurred on June 19. Jones admitted to setting the fire, which resulted in a three-alarm blaze that severely damaged the 173-year-old church. According to federal prosecutors, he had a notebook containing disturbing lists of violent targets, including categories labeled "murder them" and "rape him." Jones was also linked to an attempted arson of a second church in Brooklyn.
Prosecutors are seeking to hold Jones without bail, and he is expected to be arraigned on charges related to the arson. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Surveillance footage reportedly captured Jones attempting to enter the church before he bought a lighter and returned to set the fire, which caused significant damage to the building and destroyed many historic artifacts.
The church, which was built in the 1850s, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated as a New York City landmark in 1968. Officials, including NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore, emphasized the risks posed to the community and first responders due to the fire.