A North Carolina man has been arrested and charged after allegedly threatening to set fire to a Black church in Virginia Beach, Virginia, that had taken part in a peaceful demonstration over the death of George Floyd.
According to court documents, 63 year old John allegedly called the church on the morning of June 7. The call was on speakerphone and was overheard by several children and two adult parishioners. Prosecutors allege the caller used a racial slur, told the church to be quiet, and threatened to burn the building down.
The threat came days after church leaders joined a prayer vigil and peaceful protest.
Investigators traced the call to a cellphone belonging to John. NBC News reported that he denied making the call, but court documents say his phone showed searches for information about predominantly Black churches in the area, including the one that received the call, and that data on the phone showed a call to the church that morning.
John is charged with making a telephone threat to use fire to kill, injure, or intimidate an individual or to unlawfully damage or destroy a building. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. His next hearing is scheduled for June 17.
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