Austin Fire Suspects Arson In Congregation Beth Israel Fire

Austin TX

03 November, 2021

12:14 PM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — Austin Fire Department are seeking the public's help in identifying a suspect believed to be responsible for setting fire to a central Austin synagogue on Halloween night. The fire department released a wanted image of a man on Wednesday they believe is responsible for the small fire at Congregation Beth Israel, 3901 Shoal Creek Blvd. Austin firefighters responded to an exterior fire around 9:05 p.m. Sunday at the synagogue. Fire officials said no one was injured in the fire. Live in Austin? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone. The arson suspect is considered to be a man with a thin build. He is identified as having brown hair, was last seen wearing olive green pants, a black short sleeve t-shirt with light colored screen printing on the back and front left, a black watch and a dark-colored face covering. The department said the suspect was last seen driving into the parking lot of the synagogue. He was driving a dark-colored late model SUV (possibly a 2007 Jeep Compass). Our Arson Investigators need your help! They're looking for this man in connection with a fire set at Congregation Beth Israel (3901 Shoal Creek Blvd.) on October 31. If you have any information, please contact our Investigations Office at (512) 974-0240. pic.twitter.com/zlJfwAiEMX— Austin Fire Dept (@austinfiredept) November 3, 2021 Authorities said the man was carrying a five-gallon olive green "jerry can" style container. He could then be seen leaving the area carrying the same container. Officials said the man's actions were captured on video surveillance camera. The arson announcement comes two days after two dozen faith leaders and clergy members from across Austin were joined by community leaders at a rally Monday as they called for unity following a recent spate of anti-Semitic incidents against across the city. Over the past week, Austin has seen three anti-semitic incidents occur across the city, including a protest held by a neo-Nazi group on Oct. 23 that held a banner over Mopac Expressway with the words: "Vax the Jews." That same weekend, a few members from the same hate group also traveled to East Sixth Street to display similar anti-Semitic posters. The group had also traveled to San Antonio for similar protests. Nonprofit Interfaith Action of Central Texas called on the community to gather at the B'nai Abraham Synagogue — the oldest synagogue building in Texas — in Northwest Austin and stand together in this time of need. "We are people of diverse faiths, cultures, and backgrounds from all facets of the Austin and Central Texas Community," said Simone Talma Flowers, executive director for iACT. "We express grief, sadness and anger at the dehumanizing eruptions of hate our community has experienced recently. ... We believe in religious freedom and the right for people to pray and worship in peace." Rabbi Kelly Levy said the campus plans to continue holding worship services online until members can return to their sanctuary. But the pandemic and now repairs because of the fire have made it unclear when they will be allowed to return. Authorities are asking anyone with information on the fire incident to contact their Investigations Office at 512-974-0240.