A man arrested in connection with an arson attack on a historic New York City church has reportedly confessed to the blaze and was found with unsettling notes outlining plans for additional violent acts, including categories such as "murder them" and "rape him."
John Jones, 24, who is experiencing homelessness, was apprehended on Wednesday. He admitted to law enforcement that he ignited the fire at the South Bushwick Reformed Church, an incident that escalated into a three-alarm blaze on June 19, according to a detention memo filed by federal prosecutors.
"The defendant admitted to committing the church arson for which he has been charged in this case," the memo stated. "Furthermore, the defendant stated that he had recently attempted to burn down a second church in Brooklyn, New York."
Disturbing Notes Uncovered
Prosecutors also detailed in the memo the discovery of a notebook belonging to Jones. This notebook reportedly contained a chart with various handwritten categories for violent targets, including phrases such as "murder them," "kill them," "stab them," "make them pay," and "rape him."
These categories, presented within a chart format, also included tally marks and repeated misspellings of the word "church," according to prosecutors.
The Fire and Its Aftermath
The three-alarm fire extensively damaged the historic South Bushwick Reformed Church, destroying its spire, which subsequently collapsed. Thousands of valuable historical artifacts within the building were also lost to the flames, which gutted the interior.
Constructed in the 1850s, the church holds significant historical status, having been added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and designated a New York City landmark in 1968.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch commented on the incident, stating, "This defendant placed countless Brooklyn residents at risk when he recklessly set fire to the South Bushwick Reformed Church in broad daylight." She added, "New Yorkers deserve to practice their faith freely and without fear, and the destruction of this sacred New York City landmark will be met with swift justice."
FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore also issued a statement, emphasizing the gravity of the act: "The intentional burning of a house of worship is an attack on a historic building and on the sense of safety and community it represents." She concluded, "This fire placed lives at risk, including the first responders who responded to protect the church and the surrounding neighborhood."
Investigation and Arrest Details
Jones was initially linked to the church fire through surveillance video. The footage reportedly showed him attempting to enter the church, being denied access, and then proceeding across the street to purchase a lighter. He was then observed returning to the church's side, with surveillance footage soon after showing a significant plume of smoke emanating from the building, prosecutors stated.
Jones was taken into custody on Wednesday after he was apprehended at a CVS in Midtown Manhattan during an alleged shoplifting attempt. He appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court on Thursday for arraignment on the shoplifting charge and was held without bail.
For the arson at the South Bushwick Reformed Church, Jones has been charged and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if convicted. Prosecutors have indicated their intent to hold Jones without bail for the arson charge, with his arraignment for that offense anticipated on Friday.
