Name: New details on suspect in Mississippi synagogue arson attack
Uploaded: 2026-01-13T01:42:49.502Z
Duration: 1 min 10 s
Description: A man has confessed to setting a fire that destroyed the only synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi, according to the FBI. Jason Allen reports.

A man has confessed to setting a fire that destroyed the only synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi, according to the FBI. Jason Allen reports.

Jackson

A man has confessed to setting a fire that destroyed Temple Beth Israel, the only synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi. The FBI arrested Steven Spencer Pittman, who was being treated for burns at a hospital, and he reportedly referred to the synagogue as 'the synagogue of Satan.'

Security footage showed a masked individual pouring gasoline inside the building before igniting it, causing extensive damage and the loss of sacred Torahs. The synagogue, which was previously attacked nearly 60 years ago, has received support from local faith leaders who are offering their spaces for the congregation to gather while rebuilding efforts are planned.

New details on suspect in Mississippi synagogue arson attack

Late today, a man confessed to setting a fire that destroyed the only synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi. According to the FBI, investigators arrested him over the weekend at a hospital where he was being treated for burns. And tonight we have new video of that fire and a quote from the alleged arsonist himself. Jason Allen is at the crime scene in Jackson. Security video obtained by CBS News shows a hooded masked man dumping gasoline inside Temple Beth Israel early Saturday morning. After he ignited the gas, flames tore through the library and lobby of the synagogue. The fire destroyed sacred Torahs and left behind extensive damage. As we learned that it was arson, you know, the anger really comes to the top of what your mind thinks, right? An FBI criminal complaint names the accused arsonist as Steven Spencer Pittman. He told police over the weekend it was, quote, the synagogue of Satan. This same part of the building has been attacked before, firebombed nearly 60 years ago, Tony, by members of the Ku Klux Klan. Schemper is vowing to rebuild all of this. In the meantime, local faith leaders here in Jackson have been offering up their spaces as a place for the members here to gather.

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