What we know about the alleged arson at Mississippi’s largest and oldest synagogue
CNN • • nation
Key Points:
- The Beth Israel synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi, the state's oldest synagogue, was severely damaged by an arson fire set early Saturday morning by 19-year-old Stephen Spencer Pittman, who confessed to targeting the building due to its Jewish ties.
- Pittman was arrested at a hospital with burn injuries after his father reported his confession to the FBI; evidence including CCTV footage, location data, and physical items found at the scene corroborate his admission.
- The fire caused extensive damage to the synagogue's library and sanctuary, destroyed several Torah scrolls, and rendered the building unusable for an indefinite period, with repairs expected to take at least a year.
- This attack marks the second time the synagogue has been targeted by fire, previously bombed in
