Randy Linn of Indiana Arsonist Mosque Toledo Ohio Fire

A community in Ohio was in shock this week when the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo was set on fire, resulting in the arrest of 52-year-old Randy Linn of Indiana, who was charged on Wednesday with two counts of arson and one count of aggravated burglary. The incident marks just the latest in a string of attacks on the religion of Islam in the U.S.

Linn was identified through a surveillance camera several days after the incident took place, with help from the Council-on American Islamic Relations, a group based in Washington D.C., who offered a $5,000 reward on any information that could be obtained on the suspect. Linn allegedly appears in the surveillance wearing a camouflage sweatshirt and hat at the mosque's entrance shorty before the fire occurred, which was reported at around 5 p.m. on Sunday.

According to authorities, Linn allegedly poured gasoline on the second floor of the building, in a section where the men's prayer area is located. Women also pray on the same floor in the facility, but in an area that's seperated by a low divider.

Despite Sundays usually being one of the busiest days at the center, with Sunday school held for younger children in the earlier hours of the day, no one was near the prayer room during the time of the incident. When the fire broke out, the sprinkler system in the mosque was able to put it out it time before it was too late, but plenty of damage had already been done. The extent of both the smoke damage and water damage has the center estimating that it will be closed for up to three months to do maintenance work, but local organizations in Toledo have reached out to the Islamic community in an interfaith effort. Reverend Steve Anthony, the executive director of the Toledo area of Ministries, who represent over 125 churches, had a message for the Muslim community in Toledo.

"Any attack on a house of worship, no matter what faith, is deplorable and should be condemned," Anthony stated to news agencies. "And there's no room for that in a pluralistic society. We should respect each other's houses of worship."

Linn was reportedly arrested in Fort Wayne Indiana without incident. He has since waived extradition and was brought back to Ohio by the Perrysburg Police on Wednesday. He is currently being held in the Wood County Jail on $400,000 bond.

 

Despite the temporary close, the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo is still being heavily guarded to make sure no one else gets close to the property. It is estimated that the fire can cost up to over $1 million in repairs. With Linn in custody, no information has yet to be released in regards to his motives.