Arsonist of black Churches caught

Police have made an arrest in connection with a two-week string of church arsons, most of which occurred at places of worship in black neighborhoods, the Post-Dispatch reports.

Surprisingly, the suspect is a black man in his 30s, David Lopez Jackson according to a police source.

Investigators were expected to seek criminal charges against him yesterday.

The string of fires, many of which did minimal damage, drew attention of local and federal investigators. The locations drew speculation of whether it was a hate crime.

The Rev. Robert Gettinger, of St. Augustine Catholic Church, said news of an arrest is a relief.

“We pray for the person who has done this. It seems to be mentally off balance behavior,” Gettinger said.

He said the church remains grateful that damage was isolated to the front doors, common in all the fires.