Austin

Man Arrested as a Suspect in Austin Synagogue Arson Fire

Officials said an 18-year-old man has been arrested and charged with arson for a fire at an Austin synagogue

NBC 5 News

An 18-year-old man has been arrested and charged with arson for a fire at an Austin synagogue, officials said.

Franklin Barrett Sechriest was held on a $100,000 bond for the Oct. 31 fire at Congregation Beth Israel, KVUE-TV in Austin reported.

Watch NBC 5 free wherever you are

Watch button  WATCH HERE

According to the Austin Fire Department, the fire was a "small exterior fire" that caused no injuries but resulted in an estimated $25,000 damage, including the synagogue's wooden doors.

Arson investigators said broken glass indicated an item might have been thrown at the building, and a flammable liquid accelerated the fire. An arrest affidavit describes surveillance videos from multiple cameras on the property showing a suspect resembling Sechriest driving a black sport utility vehicle registered to a woman living at the same address as Sechriest.

Get top local stories delivered to you every morning with NBC DFW's News Headlines newsletter.

Newsletter button  SIGN UP

The fire at the synagogue came a week after a string of antisemitic incidents, including an antisemitic banner displayed from an overpass on a heavily traveled boulevard. It was not immediately clear if the fire was connected to those incidents.

Exit mobile version