Federal authorities have officially declared the fire at the site of a community center and mosque near Murfreesboro, Tenn., an arson.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said today that an accelerant was definitely used in the torching of construction equipment at the site last Saturday morning. The agency is offering a $20,000 reward leading to an arrest.
Authorities told the Tennessean that they cannot rule the arson a hate crime until they have a suspect.
The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro has also had its sign announcing the new community center vandalized, with vandals spray painting “Not welcome” and later breaking the sign in half. Members of the center believe the arson was a hate crime.
