An arrest warrant has been issued for a man suspected in one of two arson fires set at mosques in Minneapolis since Sunday.
KARE11 reports Jackie Rahm Little is accused in a criminal complaint of setting fire to south Minneapolis’ Masjid Al Rahma mosque Monday.
Surveillance video showed a man prosecutors believed to be Little walking into the building with a bag they suspect held a gas can.
That can is believed to be the same one found in the charred ruins. A number of worshippers including children had to be evacuated while firefighters doused the fire on the third floor.
Authorities say additional surveillance video showed Little purchasing a gas can from a nearby gas station earlier in the day and filling it with fuel.
Investigators don’t know if Little is connected to another fire set Sunday at another mosque also in Minneapolis.
“We averted a major tragedy. The amount of liquid that he brought to cause the harm that we’re expecting here, you know, this mall could have been engulfed,” said CAIR-Minnesota Executive Director Jaylani Hussein to CBS News.
Police Chief Brian O’Hara promised additional patrols after meeting with community leaders on Monday.
“We know Islamophobia is alive in our state, and we’re just making sure that [we’re] educating the community so they know this is serious,” said Minneapolis City Councilmember Jamal Osman.
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