Video: Man casually empties gas can in Phoenix LGBT youth center, sets it ablaze

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Video: Man casually empties gas can in Phoenix LGBT youth center, sets it ablaze

By Samantha Schmidt July 28 at 6:23 AM

{snip the video}

The video shows a man walking up to the LGBT youth center in the middle of a sunny Arizona day, looking around him as he holds a red gasoline can.

He steps into the center and casually pours liquid onto the floor of the rooms. As he walks back outside, closing the door behind him, the floor erupts in flames, the blaze spreading through the rooms of the center.

No one was injured in the July 12 blaze, but the Phoenix LGBT youth center, run by an organization called one•n•ten, was completely destroyed. Fire officials initially believed it was an accident caused by a “combination of improperly stored rags and batteries mixed with a hot, ventilated room,” Phoenix fire Capt. Rob McDade told the Arizona Republic.

But on Wednesday, the Phoenix Fire Department announced it was investigating the fire as arson, after surveillance footage was recovered of the man dousing the floor with liquid just before the blaze. Authorities asked for help in finding the suspect, identifying him as Darren William Beach Jr., 26.

[SHRED]

1. That shitstain needs to be put away...

...for decades.

[Vilis Veritas]

2. This is not arson, it is a hate crime. It needs to be prosecuted as such.

No words...

[mahatmakanejeeves]

4. Go for the arson charge.

Hate crimes are subjective. Arson is not.

[Vogon_Glory]

3. He's probably a Trumpkin who thinks he's got immunity

The suspect is probably a Trumpkin who thinks he's got immunity. Our progressivism aside, I hope even wing-nut prosecutors go hard on him. Phoenix is a desert city and fire is dangerous.

[dbackjon]

5. This was very sad

one n ten has been a big part of many people I know. For a number of years they sponsored a softball team in our LGBT league.

This is been very much a bad news that is turning out well - the temporary loss of the community center has made people realize how much it is needed, and is still needed, something we sometimes forget in the past couple years, especially after Obergefell. The entire Phoenix community has really rallied around one n ten. Brittany Griner just donated 5K. Many businesses and individuals have stepped up.

The center had already planned on moving - a new space is currently under remodel in a bigger and better spot. I dropped off a check from our softball league last Friday, and got a tour of the new space - showers and lockers for the homeless youth, meeting spaces, kitchen, storage, etc.


As to the perp - he used one n ten's services for 4 years, before aging out (one n ten serves youth from 14-25). Apparently somewhat mentally unstable, and yes, his Facebook is filled with pro-Trump garbage.