[Metro.co.uk] Emergency services were called to the blaze on the three-month anniversary of the Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando, where 49 people were shot dead by Omar Mateen, on June 12.
The fire started around 12.31am this morning at the Islamic Center of Fort Pierce in Port St Lucie, Florida.
This occurred just hours after the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and falling on the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr.
CCTV shows an individual walking up to the east side of the building prior to the fire breaking out.
At a press conference, Major David Thompson, of the Sheriff’s Office, said: ‘Right now I don’t want to speculate on a motive. We all know the implications of the date and the time of year, this is the 9/11 anniversary. Is that related? I would not want to speculate but it is in the back of our minds.
‘This is a horrible tragedy, not only for the Islamic Center, but also for our community.’
Arsonist being sought after fire at Fort Pierce mosque where Pulse nightclub killer prayed, investigators say
[SunSentinal] Authorities continued to hunt for a suspected arsonist who fled on a motorcycle Monday after fire erupted at a mosque where Orlando massacre shooter Omar Mateen worshipped.
A surveillance video from the Islamic Center of Fort Pierce showed a man with a bottle of liquid and what appeared to be a handful of paper touch off the blaze just after midnight, investigators said.
"Shortly after the individual approached the building, an immediate and very large flash was observed in the video footage," St. Lucie County Sheriff's Maj. David Thompson said. "The male was then seen leaving the mosque in a hurry."
As he was leaving, the man "was shaking his hand," Thompson said. "We're not sure, but it is possible he sustained burns on that hand."
In the video the suspected arsonist is seen riding a motorcycle described as "a Harley-Davidson-style motorcycle, with a low seat and higher handlebars," according to Thompson. He said the man wore jeans with distinctive embroidery on the rear pants pockets, a button-front shirt and a boonie-style fishing cap. |