Arsonist Targets Predominately Black Church in Charlotte, North Carolina

[mfcorey1]

A predominately black church in North Carolina was intentionally set ablaze, authorities said.

Charlotte fire officials are looking into whether Wednesday morning's arson at Briar Creek Baptist Church was a hate crime, NBC station WCNC reported. Although there were no initial indications that the crime was motivated by hate, officials haven't ruled it out, fire investigator David Williams told the station.

@CharlotteFD: #cltfd Church Fire 1451 Briar Creek Road; This fire was determined to be arson. Please call Crime Stoppers with any info DGist
— Charlotte Fire Dept (@CharlotteFD) June 24, 2015

The blaze caused about $250,000 in damage.

Pastor Mannix Kinsey said the church's congregation has already forgiven the culprit. "Buildings can be repaired, they can be built over," Kinsey told WCNC. "This is the opportunity for God to touch the hearts of individuals."

Church pastor says he forgives whoever set fire to briar creek road baptist church this morning. pic.twitter.com/mHRktD4ZKy
— Tony Burbeck WCNC (@TonyWCNC) June 24, 2015

Crews arrived at the church about 1 a.m. on Wednesday after residents in a nearby apartment complex reported seeing flames. It took more than 75 firefighters to bring the three-alarm inferno under control.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/arsonist-targets-predominately-black-church-charlotte-north-carolina-n381521?cid=sm_fc

[HappyMe]

1. The Pastor is right,

but this has to stop.