FBI: Beth Israel Arson Suspect Confessed to Targeting Jackson Synagogue for Its 'Jewish Ties' as National Support and Solidarity Events Follow
Federal authorities say 19‑year‑old Stephen Spencer Pittman admitted to his father and to investigators that he targeted Jackson’s 165‑year‑old Beth Israel Congregation because of its Jewish ties — allegedly calling it “the synagogue of Satan” and laughing “I finally got them,” with surveillance footage, text messages, gas purchases, a broken window and video of a masked figure pouring accelerant corroborating the FBI’s account. The blaze destroyed at least two Torahs and damaged others, revived painful memories of a 1967 KKK bombing, prompted nationwide interfaith solidarity and offers of replacement Torahs and temporary space, and left Pittman, who appeared via video from a hospital bed, arraigned Jan. 20 on federal and state charges (including a hate‑crime enhancement), pleading not guilty, denied bond and ordered to stand trial Feb. 23.
📌 Key Facts
- The suspect is 19-year-old Stephen Spencer Pittman; he appeared in federal court via video from a hospital bed with bandaged hands, a public defender was appointed, and his father turned him in after Pittman confessed while laughing.
- According to the FBI affidavit and witness testimony, Pittman admitted to targeting Beth Israel for its 'Jewish ties,' called it 'the synagogue of Satan' and said he 'finally got them,' and multiple witnesses (including his parents and gym members) reported he had made antisemitic comments and said he wanted to burn a synagogue before the attack.
- Security and newly obtained video show a masked individual dousing the exterior and pouring liquid inside the building from a gas container immediately before the blaze; investigators say Pittman removed his vehicle’s license plate, used an ax to break a window, and ignited fuel with a torch lighter.
- Pre-attack communications included text messages Pittman sent to his father — a photo of the synagogue and messages such as 'There’s a furnace in the back,' 'I’m due for a homerun,' and 'I did my research' — which investigators cite as evidence of planning.
- The fire destroyed at least two Torahs in the synagogue library, five additional Torah scrolls are being evaluated for smoke damage, and a Holocaust-survivor Torah kept behind glass was unharmed; Beth Israel is roughly 165 years old, Mississippi’s largest synagogue, and was previously bombed by the Ku Klux Klan in 1967.
- Pittman was federally arraigned on Jan. 20, 2026, pleaded not guilty to a federal arson charge, and faces both a federal malicious-damage-by-fire charge and a state indictment that includes a hate-crime sentencing enhancement; Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac denied bond and ordered him held in U.S. Marshals custody.
- A federal trial date was set for Feb. 23, 2026; Fox News reported a potential sentence range of five to 20 years if convicted, and defense attorneys raised concerns that pretrial detention could jeopardize Pittman’s health because of third‑degree burns.
- Local and national responses included offers of alternative worship space from nearby churches, other synagogues offering replacement Torahs, interfaith gatherings, donations, letters and messages of support — described by commentators as an outpouring of solidarity and public revulsion at antisemitic violence.
📰 Source Timeline (6)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
January 20, 2026
10:37 PM
A man pleads not guilty to setting fire to Mississippi synagogue
New information:
- Stephen Spencer Pittman was formally arraigned in federal court on Jan. 20, 2026 and entered a not‑guilty plea to a federal arson charge.
- Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac denied bond, ordering Pittman held in U.S. Marshals custody through trial, finding a serious risk he could obstruct justice or threaten, injure or intimidate witnesses including his parents and synagogue members.
- FBI testimony added detail that multiple witnesses, including Pittman’s parents and gym members, reported he had made antisemitic comments and said he wanted to burn a synagogue before the attack.
- The article confirms both federal and state cases: a federal charge of maliciously damaging or destroying a building by fire, and a state indictment for willfully and maliciously setting fire to a synagogue with a hate‑crime sentencing enhancement.
- The judge set a federal trial date for Feb. 23, 2026, and defense counsel raised concerns that pretrial incarceration could endanger Pittman’s health due to third‑degree burns.
January 14, 2026
8:56 PM
Chris Hayes on the ‘outpouring of support’ after Mississippi synagogue arson attack
New information:
- Chris Hayes highlights what he describes as an 'outpouring of support' for Beth Israel Congregation following the Jackson synagogue arson, including donations, letters and messages from around the country.
- The segment details visible solidarity actions such as interfaith gatherings, local and national Jewish organizations offering assistance, and community members helping the congregation secure a temporary worship space.
- Hayes and guests frame the reaction as evidence of broad public revulsion at antisemitic violence, even as the broader national climate includes rising antisemitic incidents and online rhetoric.
2:01 AM
Mississippi synagogue congregant shares story of 1967 Ku Klux Klan bombing
New information:
- Eyewitness account from congregant Beverly Geiger Bonnheim, who survived the 1967 Ku Klux Klan bombing of the same synagogue and now witnessed it burn again at age 75.
- Historical context that Beth Israel’s building was bombed by the Ku Klux Klan in 1967, with Bonnheim’s father then serving as vice president of the congregation.
- Quotes from current spiritual leader Benjamin Russell and congregation president Zach Shemper emphasizing Jewish resilience and pledging to rebuild and continue programs without interruption.
- Concrete details on the impact to ritual objects: at least two Torahs destroyed and five more under assessment for smoke damage.
- Reports that nearby churches have offered worship space and other synagogues have offered replacement Torah scrolls, reflecting community response.
January 13, 2026
2:03 PM
Man confesses to starting fire at Mississippi synagogue
New information:
- CBS segment reiterates that investigators say Stephen Spencer Pittman admitted to starting the fire at Beth Israel Congregation.
- Newly obtained video shows a man dousing the exterior of Jackson’s Beth Israel Congregation with liquid from a gas container immediately before the blaze.
12:32 PM
Mississippi synagogue arson suspect's dad turns him in after laughing confession, FBI says
New information:
- Identifies suspect as 19-year-old Stephen Pittman and notes he appeared in U.S. District Court via video from a hospital bed with bandaged hands and a public defender appointed.
- FBI affidavit detail that Pittman laughed while confessing to his father, called Beth Israel 'the synagogue of Satan' and said he 'finally got them.'
- Describes specific pre-attack steps: buying gasoline at a station, removing his vehicle’s license plate, using an ax to break a window, and igniting fuel with a torch lighter; security video shows a masked figure pouring liquid inside.
- Reveals text messages to his father, including a photo of the synagogue, 'There’s a furnace in the back,' and 'I’m due for a homerun' plus 'I did my research.'
- Establishes potential sentence range of five to 20 years in prison if convicted and sets a Jan. 20 date for a preliminary and detention hearing.
- Confirms two Torahs in the library were destroyed, five Torah scrolls in the sanctuary are being evaluated for smoke damage, and a Holocaust-survivor Torah behind glass was unharmed.
- Reiterates Beth Israel’s age (165 years), status as Mississippi’s largest synagogue, and that it was previously bombed by the Ku Klux Klan in the 1960s.