Sheriff deputy’s son, Holden Mathews, 21, arrested for deliberate arson that razed three historically black churches over ten days in Louisiana
Rocker son of sheriff’s deputy is arrested in connection with three fires at historically black churches over ten days in Louisiana
21-year-old Holden Matthews was arrested in St Landry Parish, Louisiana, on Wednesday
Mathews is accused of intentionally setting fire to three churches in Port Barre and Opelousas between March 26 and April 4
The churches were vacant at the time of the fires, and no one was injured
Cops have yet to release any information about the suspect or a possible motive
The NAACP says the fires were racially motivated given that they took place in historically black areas and called for the arson to be labeled ‘domestic terrorism’
Firebug: Holden Matthews [photo] described on his Facebook page as the lead singer for a heavy metal band called ‘Vodka Vultures’, has been arrested in connection with a string of arson attacks at three historically-black churches in Louisiana, over a 10-day period.
The son of a Louisiana sheriff’s deputy has been arrested in connection with a string of arson attacks at three historically-black churches over a 10-day period.
Holden Matthews, 21, was taken into custody by authorities in St Landry Parish on Wednesday evening following a joint investigation by the state Fire Marshal’s Office and the FBI into a string of suspicious fires at three churches in St. Landry Parish.
Cops have yet to release any information about the suspect or his possible motive.
Matthews, an Opelousas resident, is described on his Facebook page as the lead singer for a heavy metal band called Vodka Vultures, according to KATC.
Sources say the fires that destroyed St Mary Baptist Church in Port Barre on March 26, the Greater Union Baptist Church in Opelousas on April 2, and the third at neighboring Mount Pleasant Baptist Church on April 4, appeared to have been set intentionally.
The churches were vacant at the time of the fires, and no one was injured officials said.
Holden Matthews, the son of a Louisiana sheriff’s deputy, has been arrested in connection with a string of arson attacks at three historically-black churches between March 26 and April 4. 21-year-old Matthews, of Opelousas, is described on his Facebook page as the lead singer for a heavy metal band called Vodka Vultures was taken into custody by authorities in St Landry Parish on Wednesday
Mount Pleasant Baptist Church [photo] was the last building to be torched, allegedly by Holden Mathews, on April 4
The burnt ruins of the St. Mary Baptist Church in Port Barre are seen above after the fire of March 26
A number of state officials have publicly condemned the fires over the past week, including US Congressman Clay Higgins, a Republican who represents a district that includes St Landry Parish.
Higgins shared a video on Facebook on Sunday in which he urged the person responsible to come forward as he stood in front of the rubble of St Mary’s Baptist Church.
‘I advise you to hear my heart and turn yourself in,’ Higgins said. ‘You’re going to jail one way or another.’
St Mary’s Baptist church after the fire. Officials said all three churches were vacant at the time of the fires, and no one was injured
Emergency crews are seen outside the Greater Union Baptist Church in Opelousas
Opelousas Mayor Julius Alsandor told CNN earlier this week: ‘The relevance and the impact on the people in the surrounding communities and especially the congregation of each of these churches, it’s hurtful and there may be some fear that is being exhibited by those who are a part of the three churches.’
During his State of the State address on Monday, Gov John Bel Edwards said: ‘Churches are sacred places, and no one should fear for their safety in their house of worship…and no one should be concerned that their house of worship would be destroyed.’
US Attorney David Joseph who called the attacks ‘despicable’, also released a statement the following statement on the burnings.
“A suspect has been identified in connection with the three church burnings in Opelousas, Louisiana, and is in state custody. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, ATF, and FBI are working with state and local law enforcement and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the victims and those St. Landry Parish residents affected by these despicable acts. A special thanks to St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz, Louisiana State Fire Marshal, H. “Butch” Browning Jr., Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry’s Cybercrime Unit, the Louisiana State Police, and the Florida State Fire Marshal for working seamlessly with federal law enforcement agents in this investigation.”
A gofundme account has been set up to help the three churches
Leave a Reply