College Student, 19, Arrested for Alleged Arson of Mississippi’s Largest Synagogue

A 19-year-old Mississippi man has been arrested in connection with a fire that heavily damaged a Jewish synagogue in Jackson — a congregation that was once bombed by the Ku Klux Klan decades ago, according to federal authorities.

Stephen Spencer Pittman, 19, of Madison, was taken into custody on Saturday evening, Jan. 10, after investigators linked him to the alleged arson at Beth Israel Congregation and the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life building, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a press release on Monday, Jan. 12.

Authorities allege Pittman used gasoline to ignite the blaze, causing extensive damage to a large portion of the building and leaving it unusable for the foreseeable future.

Investigators said CCTV footage appears to show a person inside the synagogue wearing a hooded top and pouring a liquid from what looked like a gasoline container before the fire began.

Beth Israel Congregation dates back to 1860 and has been at its current location since 1967. On Sept. 18 of that year, the synagogue was bombed by the Ku Klux Klan.

Citing an FBI affidavit, ABC 7 NY reported that the suspect allegedly made comments about the attack to his father and used a derogatory phrase to describe the synagogue. CNN also reported that Pittman allegedly told investigators he set the fire because the site had “Jewish ties.”

Officials said Pittman suffered burns during the incident. Authorities reported he drove himself to the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries before being taken into custody. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves’ office said the Jackson Fire Department responded to the scene, and investigators later determined the fire was intentional.

Reeves condemned the act and noted that Beth Israel Congregation is one of the state’s oldest Jewish institutions. He added that fire, smoke, and water damage have made the building unusable for services.

In a statement included in the Justice Department release, Attorney General Pam Bondi called the incident an act of anti-Semitic violence and said she had directed prosecutors to pursue severe penalties.

FBI Director Kash Patel also described the incident as a targeted attack. “Every American has a fundamental right to live and worship free from violence and fear,” Patel said in the Justice Department statement, adding that the FBI would continue working to protect Jewish communities and hold perpetrators accountable.

U.S. Attorney J.E. Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi also denounced the incident, calling it a hateful and anti-Semitic attack. He said his office would pursue the most serious charges supported by the evidence and prosecute the case fully.

CNN reported that Pittman — who had completed three semesters of college — appeared in court on Monday and was appointed a public defender.

If convicted, he could face a minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Jan. 11, the synagogue shared a link for those who want to contribute to rebuilding efforts, writing: “We thank you deeply for your love and support.”