MS, Jackson - Arson at Beth Israel Synagogue, Stephen Spencer Pittman arrested, 10 Jan 2026

[Bounceycat]

I could not locate a thread on this, so decided to start one. This is not the first time this synagogue, the only one in Jackson, has been attacked. It was bombed by the KKK in 1967.

https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/11/us/jackson-mississippi-synagogue-fire

The suspect in an investigation of a fire at a prominent Jackson, Mississippi, synagogue confessed to starting the blaze because of its “Jewish ties,” according to a criminal complaint submitted by the FBI.

In an interview with authorities on Saturday, the suspect, identified as Stephen Spencer Pittman, 19, admitted to setting Beth Israel on fire, calling it the “synagogue of Satan,” the complaint says.

 

[Inthedetails]

I could not locate a thread on this, so decided to start one. This is not the first time this synagogue, the only one in Jackson, has been attacked. It was bombed by the KKK in 1967.

https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/11/us/jackson-mississippi-synagogue-fire

The suspect in an investigation of a fire at a prominent Jackson, Mississippi, synagogue confessed to starting the blaze because of its “Jewish ties,” according to a criminal complaint submitted by the FBI.

In an interview with authorities on Saturday, the suspect, identified as Stephen Spencer Pittman, 19, admitted to setting Beth Israel on fire, calling it the “synagogue of Satan,” the complaint says.

19 years old and full of misinformation and hate.

jmopinion

 

[Bounceycat]

https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/13/us/jackson-mississippi-synagogue-fire-arson-suspect

He texted his father a photo of the rear of the building, says the complaint. He wrote to his father: “There’s a furnace in the back”; “Btw my plate is off”; “Hoodie is on”; and “And they have the best cameras.” When his father pleaded with him to return home, Pittman replied, “I did my research,” says the complaint.

Later in the day, his father saw burns on Pittman’s ankles, hands and face, says the complaint. When he confronted his son, Pittman confessed to lighting a fire inside the building — and laughed as he did so, according to the complaint.

The FBI found a burned cell phone at the synagogue they believe is Pittman’s, as well as a hand torch.

 

[Inthedetails]

https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/13/us/jackson-mississippi-synagogue-fire-arson-suspect

He texted his father a photo of the rear of the building, says the complaint. He wrote to his father: “There’s a furnace in the back”; “Btw my plate is off”; “Hoodie is on”; and “And they have the best cameras.” When his father pleaded with him to return home, Pittman replied, “I did my research,” says the complaint.

Later in the day, his father saw burns on Pittman’s ankles, hands and face, says the complaint. When he confronted his son, Pittman confessed to lighting a fire inside the building — and laughed as he did so, according to the complaint.

The FBI found a burned cell phone at the synagogue they believe is Pittman’s, as well as a hand torch.

So, he's hateful and dumb. Good. Easy conviction.

jmopinion

 

[Bounceycat]

19 years old and full of misinformation and hate.

jmopinion

You have to wonder where he learned it. Typically with this young, I'd say it starts at home - but his Dad pleaded with him to stop, and ended up turning him in. I'm sure that must have been horrific for Dad, kudos to him for doing the right thing.

 

[su5ie]

You have to wonder where he learned it. Typically with this young, I'd say it starts at home - but his Dad pleaded with him to stop, and ended up turning him in. I'm sure that must have been horrific for Dad, kudos to him for doing the right thing.

That was my first thought who indoctrinated the lad

 

[Gemmie]

So, he's hateful and dumb. Good. Easy conviction.

jmopinion

Hateful and dumb seem to go hand and hand (along with misinformation). JMO!

 

[Lebowski]

You have to wonder where he learned it. Typically with this young, I'd say it starts at home - but his Dad pleaded with him to stop, and ended up turning him in. I'm sure that must have been horrific for Dad, kudos to him for doing the right thing.

with the internet, you can't assume anything is coming from the parents anymore. especially at this age (19), when a lot of people question what they were taught and experiment with other worldviews. unfortunately, a dangerous time for a kid when misinformation and radical ideology are blasted everywhere with little filtering or guidance.