Police arrest Minnesota man for arson after a 117-year-old synagogue burns to the ground

[jpak]

Source: Portland Press Herald

A 117-year-old synagogue in Duluth burned to the ground on Monday. Four days later, police arrested a 36-year-old Minnesota man for allegedly setting the fire that destroyed the oldest modern orthodox synagogue in Northern Minnesota.

Matthew J. Amiot was booked on first-degree arson Friday after allegedly setting the historic house of worship ablaze. No one was inside at the time, though six Torah scrolls – sacred Jewish texts handwritten on parchment paper – were destroyed.

At a Sunday news conference, Police Chief Mike Tusken said “there is no reason to believe this is a bias or hate crime” at this time. Authorities have not determined the motive.

According to Duluth fire chief Shawn Krizaj, firefighters responded to the Adas Israel Congregation at 2:30 a.m., Monday. Krizaj explained at Sunday’s news conference that the fire initiated outside of the building but “quickly spread through voids in the wall space and spread throughout the synagogue.

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Read more: https://www.pressherald.com/2019/09/15/police-arrest-minnesota-man-for-arson-after-a-117-year-old-synagogue-burns-to-the-ground/

[bluestarone]

1. Shame! They say not a hate crime BUT

Then they say no motive, Kinda contradicts their theory of no hate crime doesn't it? Just saying.

[Mc Mike]

2. First degree arson, but no bias or hate crime.

Burnt it down premeditated, with malice aforethought. But not because he doesn't like Jews or synagogues.

He's an architectural critic.

[Perseus]

8. "He's an architectural critic." - That is funny

I guess they can't give a motive at this time until they do the full investigation. I will give them the benefit of the doubt.

[Mc Mike]

9. They should just say we don't know whether or not it's a hate crime, not 'it isn't a hate crime and

we don't know until we investigate, but we're charging first degree anyway.'

[bluestarone]

12. EXACTLY!

My thoughts as well!

[Jedi Guy]

5. Not really. The hate crime would be the motive. In its absence, the motive remains unknown.

I tend to be somewhat skeptical that it isn't a hate crime, given the current climate. They probably should have said, "At this time, as the motive remains unknown, it does not appear to be a hate crime. That may change in the course of the investigation." Clearly he burned it down for some reason, unless he's a pyromaniac with a history of random arson.

[skypilot]

17. Uh, no.

Just say that the motive is unknown. To speak further on what it appears to be or doesn't appear to be is specious.

[Jedi Guy]

18. Given the automatic assumption from some here that it is a hate crime...

I think it's worthwhile stating that that doesn't appear to be the case at present, with the added caveat that that determination may be made after further investigation. There's nothing wrong with stating the absence of evidence, as long as they don't carry on with that as a premise of the investigation.

[skypilot]

24. It might or might not be...

...a hate crime but all that a journalist need say is that the motive is unknown at this time.

[Jedi Guy]

27. I wasn't commenting on what the journalist said.

They were quoting the sheriff, so my comment was aimed more at how I think he ought to have phrased it.

[LanternWaste]

25. Hence, all speculative presumptions must be addressed by the story?

Or just the one?



If the latter, what is the objective and relevant difference?

[Jedi Guy]

30. What, no accusation of self-righteousness?

Or was that supposed to go in the blank space in the middle there?

[Drahthaardogs]

23. Maybe he's schizophrenic or something?

Eom.

[MineralMan]

3. Dammit! Throw the book at that asshole!

[11cents]

4. The guy's FB account is full of Pepe's and photos of guns

But sure, no reason to suspect political terrorism, aka "hate crime."

[Sapient Donkey]

10. Which facebook account are you talking about?

I didn't see any pepe memes on the two I found. I did see three pictures of guns, with two of them being the same photos but one of them is edited. He also had some Christianity type photos posted too, but other than it didn't really give much insight into this guy. Even the list of likes was pretty standard stuff.

Did you see a different page?

[Sneederbunk]

6. Just another unbiased guy who likes to burn down synagogues.

[JI7]

7. maybe the poor guy had economic anxiety

[keithbvadu2]

11. Right wing Kristallnacht. Some very fine people according to Trump.

Right wing Kristallnacht.

Some very fine people according to Trump.

[Evolve Dammit]

13. Police Chief Mike Tusken said "there is no reason to believe this is a is a bias or hate crime

Seriously? He just did it because he enjoys burning synagogues.....? I smell nazi enablement again. Also, why was there no follow-up on the Vegas accountant gunman? Anyone know what his "motive" was? Never heard boo in the media in the aftermath.

[Jedi Guy]

19. Yes, not leaping to a conclusion is absolutely the same as enabling Nazis.

Also, speaking of leaping to conclusions, why do you assume there was "no follow-up" on the Vegas shooter? Do you suppose the authorities, from local on up to federal, just didn't feel like it? Decided to wash the squad cars that day instead? Too busy chowing down on donuts? In your imagination, did they just shrug helplessly and say, "Ah, why bother?"

To the best of my knowledge, they were never able to determine a motive for the shooting, despite extensive investigation. Either the information required has not (and may never) come to light or its significance has not been recognized, or there was simply no motive beyond a desire to kill people. Sometimes we don't get all the answers to our questions.

Evidently they discovered child pornography on his computers, and also on his brother's computers. Perhaps he had reason to believe he was under investigation and that the hammer would drop at any time, and decided to take as many people down with him as he possibly could.

[Evolve Dammit]

31. you missed a simple question. I didn't hear any follow-up in the media and sounds likeyou did.

Thanks for sharing more info about the extensive investigation. Curious what news outlets reported it. I can't read everything, so appreciate the insight.

[IronLionZion]

14. Thank God he's not a terrorist

And not a hate crime. I'm sure the synagogue was just a coincidence.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

15. Two other houses of worship have burned in the neighborhood in the past three years.

[Behind the Aegis]

20. Were they also results of arson?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

28. IIRC the investigations are still ongoing.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

16. He has no known address. Homeless people are often saddled with arson charges because they don't

have the means to defend themselves well and also go along to get easier access to services.

[Behind the Aegis]

21. Where did you discover he had "no known address" and that he is homeless?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

29. Local coverage.

[redstatebluegirl]

26. His facebook page is full of guns and Jesus, imagine my surprise.