Man charged with arson following Juneteenth fire at historic Bushwick church
According to investigators, surveillance video showed John Jones attempting to enter the church on the corner of Bushwick Avenue and Himrod Street.
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A 24-year-old man is now behind bars, accused of intentionally setting the South Bushwick Reformed Church on fire on June 19.
New photos released by the Eastern District of New York showed damage to the inside of the house of worship, which was a city landmark with 175 years of history.
“We’re pleased that there was an arrest, that an investigation has brought us to this place,” said Rev. Dr. James Steward, the church’s pastor. “But then [it’s] also another layer of sadness and grief and anger, of course, within the midst of this trauma.”
According to investigators, surveillance video showed John Jones attempting to enter the church on the corner of Bushwick Avenue and Himrod Street. When he couldn’t get in, Jones allegedly went to a nearby store and purchased a lighter and used it to start the fire.
“We don’t believe that this arson is random,” said Steward. “We have no reason to be targeted.”
Steward said making matters worse is that the fire happened on Juneteenth.
“We serve, in part, African Americans,” said Steward. “And as an African American pastor, it does have even more of a meaning that it happened on Juneteenth.”
Steward said that so far, the church has raised tens of thousands of dollars to help rebuild.
“We’re holding up, and we’ve adopted the statement that, ‘This fire has sort of ignited a fire within our community,’” said Steward.
Jones is expected to make his first court appearance on Friday. If convicted, he faces 5 to 20 years in prison.
Investigators said Jones was also arrested recently for a shoplifting incident.
