Oklahoma City investigators are focusing on a 17-year-old they believe is connected to a southeast-side church fire and several nearby vandalism incidents that shocked a local congregation. The damage included a sanctuary set on fire and graffiti around the area, with the name of an extremist group reportedly appearing at multiple scenes.
Police say the teen may be tied to a violent-extremist network called ERS Council, with a search warrant linking him to the church arson, a car fire and a vehicle defaced with racial slurs. Authorities allege he streamed the arson and used the group’s name as a calling card, and while he has not been arrested, the case is being sent to the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office for possible prosecution, according to News 9.
Sanctuary Damaged Hours Before Sunday Service
The break-in and blaze tore through Windwood Freewill Baptist’s sanctuary just hours before a scheduled Sunday service, leaving shattered glass, charred pews and smoke-stained walls behind. Pastor Tom Drake told KOCO the congregation is rattled but holds no hatred toward whoever is responsible, saying the church “has no malice.” Fire crews were able to contain the flames, and no injuries were reported.
Investigators Cite Extremist ‘Calling Card’…